The Silver Bulletin staff shares their predictions for the Buckeyes’ homecoming as Ohio State hosts Mike Locksley’s Maryland Terrapins.

Saturday’s matchup in The Shoe is the last one for nearly one month. It’s also one of Jeremiah Smith’s final four home games, unless the Buckeyes host a First Round College Football Playoff game.

Ohio State needs to protect Julian Sayin against an active Maryland defensive front and run the ball. Execution is important for the Buckeyes as they continue building on their momentum from the Iowa win. Wide receiver Brandon Inniss is listed as Doubtful, while Devin McCuin is listed as Probable.

AVAILABILITY REPORT: Updates for Ohio State 👇

Probable: Jay Timmons and Devin McCuin

Doubtful: Brandon Inniss, Christian Alliegro, Khary Wilder, and Phillip Daniels https://t.co/F7RbPpUB5L

— Blake T. Biscardi (@BlakeBiscardi) October 10, 2026

The Silver Bulletin staff makes their picks for the Buckeyes vs. the Terrapins:

Dave

The Buckeyes have no issues at home. Ryan Day’s team will take care of business and turn their attention to Indiana.

Ohio State 41, Maryland 10

Blake Biscardi

Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith are playing at an elite level, and that will continue against the Terrapins. However, I think Saturday’s game belongs to Brock Boyd. Smith will still get 150 yards and two touchdowns, but I’m predicting Boyd to have his first 100-yard game and touchdown as a Buckeye.

Ryan Day continues to emphasize explosive plays in the running game, saying his team has been close. I expect a handful of big gains on the ground for the Buckeyes from the Jacksons.

Defensively, this will be a volume test for the secondary as Malik Washington and Chris Durr try to stretch the field to generate some offense. Mike Locksley’s team is missing many players, and he has a turnover-prone quarterback. I’ll take a pick-six from the Buckeyes. No problems for the Scarlet and Gray on Saturday.

Ohio State 49, Maryland 10

Grant Kincaid

Ryan Day will want to conserve energy and health for the stretch ahead featuring @Indiana, @USC, and Oregon. Surviving Saturday without any impactful injuries will be paramount, though Jeremiah Smith adding to his Heisman campaign wouldn’t hurt.

After a decisive win in Iowa City, this team has finally seized momentum lost in the fourth quarter against Texas. If this team wants to handle business and position itself for a playoff run, sustaining this momentum will be a major cog in doing so. Adversity will come in plenty over the next two months. Now is the time to step on the pedal and go full steam ahead into a season-defining gauntlet.

Ohio State 42, Maryland 10

Dan Smyth

Maryland has a few explosive weapons on offense that will give the Ohio State defense fits. However, this Maryland defense will find it nearly impossible to contain the Ohio State offense. Expect contributions from young wide receivers Henry, Boyd, and Bell. Also expect Kyle Parker to get a few touches in his debut. The Buckeyes roll. 

Ohio State 52, Maryland 13

Josh Cassinger

Ohio State is heading back home for an unusual 4:15 kickoff as they host Maryland. It’s simple: the Buckeyes cannot look ahead to Indiana next week and stay healthy.

I’m predicting Legend Bey, Chris Henry, and Brock Boyd all find the end zone!

Ohio State 56, Maryland 10

Carson Hutton

These teams haven’t met in a few seasons, with Ohio State winning nine straight against Maryland. The team will need more explosive runs from the running backs to feed receivers beyond Jeremiah Smith and to 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.

Ohio State 45, Maryland 10

Cody Croy

I expect the run game to break out this week. Watch out for two Bo Jackson touchdowns. I expect another strong defensive line performance and a near-shutout win.

Ohio State 42, Maryland 7 

AJ Mahoney

This is the end for Mike Locksley at Maryland as Ohio State rolls.

Ohio State 56, Maryland 3

Alex Biscardi

The Buckeyes come out firing: Jeremiah Smith goes for 100+ yards, Brock Boyd gets his first touchdown of the season, and Kenyatta Jackson gets 2 sacks.

Ohio State 49, Maryland 10