The Ohio State Buckeyes were able to jump over the Louisville Cardinals with a 62-3 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Now fifth in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Buckeyes will travel to Maryland this weekend to face the Terrapins. The Terrapins are 5-4 this season, and currently struggling, losing four of their last five. This will be the second consecutive week that Maryland faces a Top Five opponent. Senior quarterback Perry Hills may miss this week after going down in the second quarter of the Michigan game last week. For Maryland, they will need to win one of their next three to become bowl eligible. For the Buckeyes, a win is necessary to continue their Playoff Hopes. This game will be important for both Ohio State and Maryland.
What to Watch for: Ohio State-Maryland
Curtis Samuel vs Maryland Defense
Junior Curtis Samuel has been one of the most electric players in the Ohio State offense. He is averaging 7.9 yards per rush and 13 yards per reception this season. Samuel has over 1,200 total yards and ten touchdowns as well. Against Nebraska, Samuel had his best game of the season since the season opener, scoring twice and accounting for 178 total yards. Samuel will look to continue this success against a very poor Maryland defense.
Maryland’s defense has struggled this season. The Terrapins currently rank 90th among FBS teams in total yards allowed. Maryland allowed 5.58 yards per play and are much worse in the red zone. Opposing teams have scored on 49 of 54 red zone possessions including 39 touchdowns. Samuel is generally not a red zone threat but if he can get OSU there, freshman running back Mike Weber may be able to punch it in.
Injuries
This is only an issue for Maryland coming into this contest, which has the potential to make this game even more lopsided than before. Senior quarterback Perry Hills is considered day-to-day as of now but will likely not play Saturday. Hills re-aggravated his throwing shoulder last week and with Maryland’s bowl hopes on the line, it may be smart to sit him this weekend. The injuries do not end here however.
The Terrapins leading rusher Ty Johnson is dealing with a lower body injury that leaves his status questionable as well. Johnson has two consecutive 100+ yard rushing games before last week and has been able to break out every now and then in the passing game as well. Injuries will certainly play a factor in this week’s game and seem to be stacking up against Maryland already.
Which J.T. Barrett will we see?
At the beginning of the season, junior quarterback J.T. Barrett was a Heisman candidate. While still in the race, he has proven to be inconsistent this season. He has been able to have four consecutive 200+ yard passing games and has completed over 55% of his passes in all four games. However, Ohio State fans have seen Barrett under-perform against weaker opponents. Barrett failed to complete 50 percent of his passes against Indiana five weeks ago and did not score against Northwestern. The Buckeyes will need Barrett to perform well in these last few games if they wish to keep their Playoff hopes alive.
Overall
There is a lot at stake for both teams but the odds seem to be stacking up against Maryland. With injuries to two of their best players, it may be smart for Maryland to rest them for next week’s game against Nebraska or even Rutgers in the final week to make sure they become bowl eligible. Nonetheless, expect a good game early on between Ohio State and Maryland, but expect the Buckeyes to pull away in the second half as their depth will shine.
