Ohio State returns to Columbus to face Maryland, their last unranked opponent until November, in their last home game for nearly a month.

The No. 5-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes return to Columbus Saturday afternoon for an unusual 4:15 p.m. EST kickoff against the Maryland Terrapins. The Buckeyes defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes on the road last week, 31-14, to improve to 4-1. Nebraska beat the Terrapins on the road, 48-23.

These two teams are going in opposite directions: Ohio State has won three straight games, is 2-0 in conference play, and has guys rising to the occasion. Maryland has now lost three straight games, is winless in conference play, and can’t seem to stop anything on defense.

Ryan Day, who will coach his 100th game for the Scarlet and Gray and boasts an 86.9 percent winning percentage, tells his team there are big challenges ahead and that they need to play with urgency. After a great win in a tough environment against a top-15 opponent a week ago, this would be a letdown spot on paper.

The three games after this affair include a trip to Bloomington to face the 7th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, a trip to Los Angeles to face 19th-ranked USC, and a return home to face the 13th-ranked Oregon Ducks. This week’s game against a less-talented Maryland squad, with their coach on the hot seat, plus the bye week after the Indiana game, will be as important as any time the team has had the rest of the season.

Buckeye fans have only four more chances to watch Jeremiah Smith, and likely Julian Sayin as well, in the Horseshoe unless the team hosts a playoff game. It should be a beautiful day on Saturday, so let’s look at both teams’ recent outings, players to watch, and what to expect.

Ohio State Proves They Are Legit Against Iowa, Powered By Smith’s Career Day

Ohio State defeated Iowa 31-14 last week in a game that started close before the Buckeyes edged away, led by Jeremiah Smith. As many expected, the game was close early, with teams trading scores in the first quarter and Ohio State up 10-6. Ryan Day’s squad then used 85-yard, 57-yard, and 7-yard drives in the second, third, and fourth quarters to take a 31-6 lead. A late touchdown drive by Iowa cut the score to 17, and that was the final result.

Julian Sayin played a clean game, finishing 20/27 for 324 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers. His favorite target was Jeremiah Smith, as usual, no matter how many guys you put on him. He caught 11 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, breaking all-time records for receptions and receiving touchdowns in the same game. Devin McCuin also had one of his better games as a Buckeye, finishing with four grabs, 80 yards, and a score.

The ground game played well against a tough Iowa defense, with both Jacksons getting at least 70 yards and 4.4 yards per carry, and Ja’Kobi Jackson scoring the lone rushing touchdown. The offensive line opened holes, and the team had a handful of medium-distance runs.

The defense gave up 199 passing yards, but the backup quarterback had 67 yards on the final drive with the game out of hand. Reece Vander Zee was the star of the show from the Michigan game but was held to two catches and 35 yards. Kamari Moulton is a talented running back who never got going, with just 12 carries for 27 yards, as the Ohio State defense allowed only 39 yards and 1.9 yards per carry.

Christian Alliegro recovered an early fumble that shifted momentum in the scarlet and gray’s favor and also had half a tackle for loss. Qua Russaw is another transfer who had arguably his best game, with a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. added a sack and a tackle for loss, and Tarvos Alford also got in on the action with a tackle for loss.

The tackle leaders were Payton Pierce (six total tackles), Qua Russaw (five), Eddrick Houston (four), and Zion Grady (four). One thing to note was the special teams unit: Connor Hawkins made a 28-yard field goal but also missed another, early in the second quarter from 40 yards out.

Maryland Goes Up Early Before Letting The Floodgates Open at Nebraska

Maryland had a fascinating loss at Nebraska a week ago, falling by four scores, 48-23. They scored four times in the first quarter, with kicker Sean O’Haire hitting from 26, 42, and 32 yards, along with a 65-yard touchdown catch by Chris Durr Jr. They led 16-7 after the first quarter.

The teams traded touchdowns early in the second quarter as DeJuan Williams’ three-yard touchdown run extended the Maryland lead to 23-14. That would be all the scoring Maryland had, as Nebraska scored five consecutive touchdowns and 34 unanswered points to win comfortably.

Malik Washington had an up-and-down day, finishing 23/44 for 254 passing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and 10 carries for 16 rushing yards. Chris Durr Jr. continued his stellar play, leading the team in catches (7) and receiving yards (149), and scoring the lone receiving touchdown.

DeJuan Williams was one of four rushers and tied the team lead with 10 carries, then led the team with 78 rushing yards and the only ground score. Iverson Howard ran well but only had three carries for 34 yards.

The Maryland defense gave up 238 passing yards and 209 rushing yards, forcing one turnover on Anthony Colandrea, who finished with 346 total yards. Maryland struggled on the ground as Nebraska hit on explosive plays, including a 51-yard run and three passing touchdowns. Wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer had a monster afternoon, catching 11 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Nebraska also capitalized on an 81-yard pick-six, which kickstarted the first of five straight scores.

The Terrapins’ defense had two tackles and seven tackles for loss as they played their best football early in the game. Once the floodgates were open, the Cornhuskers took full advantage. Carlton Smith did a little bit of everything for Maryland, leading the team in total tackles (8) and solo tackles (5), while also tying the team lead in sacks (1) and tackles for loss (1). Daniel Wingate and Jayden Shipps each had six total tackles, four solo tackles, and one tackle for loss.

What To Expect In The Third Big Ten Contest

Ryan Day’s squad opened as 37.5-point favorites over Michael Locksley’s side with the current spread set at 34.5. There is no current moneyline. The over/under point total opened at 54.5 points and is now 56.5 points.

With tougher tests ahead, it will be up to the coaching staff and team leaders to get the boys fired up and ready to end this game early. Maryland has struggled mightily in conference play lately, winless this year and just 2-18 over the past three seasons.

These teams haven’t met in a few seasons, with Ohio State winning nine straight against Maryland. It will be important to get more explosive runs from the running backs, feed the receivers outside of Jeremiah Smith, and get the quarterback off schedule and on the ground. A steady dose on offense and forcing the Terrapins’ defense into third-and-long will make this game stress-free.

I expected Bo Jackson and Isaiah West to find the endzone in this one, with Devin McCuin, Brandon Inniss, Brock Boyd, and Chris Henry Jr. accounting for a bunch of catches and two total scores. The offense should convert early and often, while the defense works as a unit to make plays and get the ball back. The Buckeyes roll into the hardest part of their schedule, and the toughest stretch of regular-season games in a long time.

Prediction: Ohio State 45 Maryland 10