3 & Out: What to watch for when Ohio State hosts Maryland

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First Down

Players to watch for Maryland

1) Chris Durr Jr.

So far in 2026 the Wyoming wide receiver has been the best wide receiver in the Big Ten not named Jeremiah Smith. Durr was the first receiver in the Big Ten with multiple games with at least 10 receptions. Entering this week’s game Durr has 42 catches for 461 yards and four touchdowns.

Durr is averaging 8.4 receptions per game this season, which ranks second in the FBS. In each of Maryland’s five games this season Durr has at least six catches, marking the longest streak by a Terrapins since Tai Felton had six straight games of at least six catches in 2024.

Last week Durr finished with a career-high 149 yards against Nebraska, with 135 yards coming in the first quarter. Durr is already just nine yards away from setting a career high for receiving yards in a season.

2) Malik Washington

Maryland’s quarterback is now in his second season as the starter for the Terrapins. As a freshman, Washington amassed just under 3,000 yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

Washington closed out his first season of college football with 459 yards passing in a loss to Michigan State.

Dating back to last season, Maryland has relied a lot on Washington’s arm. Entering this week’s game, Washington has attempted at least 30 passes in eight straight contests, which is the longest active streak in the FBS.

Through five games Washington has 1,288 yards passing, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions.

3) Sean O’Haire

One of the few areas where Maryland will have an advantage over Ohio State is in the kicking game. Sophomore Sean O’Haire has been nearly automatic when his number has been called, making 40 of his 44 career field goal attempts.

So far this season the Ireland native has made seven of his eight attempts, with the only miss coming against UConn.

O’Haire is one of two active kickers in the country who has never missed an extra point. Last season O’Haire finished with 92 points. Last week O’Haire connected on all three of his field goal attempts in the loss to Nebraska.

Second Down

Keys for Ohio State

1) Focus on this week

When you’re favored by around five touchdowns it can be easy to look ahead to the next game, especially when Indiana is on deck. The Buckeyes can’t afford to not give Maryland their full attention since the Terrapins have some playmakers who can make life difficult for Ohio State. By playing a top-five team this is likely Maryland’s Super Bowl.

Add in the Terrapins are likely playing for their head coach, who’s likely will be fired either during or after the season, and it’s a recipe for a team with nothing to lose. The Buckeyes need to handle their business and head to Bloomington on the heels of a complete performance since the Hoosiers will give them all they can handle next week.

2) Get out to a fast start

Even though Maryland has been getting pummeled by teams of late, one thing the Terrapins do well is play hard in the fourth quarter. Entering this week’s game, Maryland has held opponents to seven points or less in21 straight games, which is the sixth-longest active streak in the FBS.

Last week the Buckeyes came out firing against Iowa, scoring less than two minutes into the game and adding a field goal later in the frame. The longer Ohio State lets Maryland hang around, the testier Saturday’s game becomes. If the Buckeyes can step in the gas early, they’ll be able to rest their starters in the second half.

3) Build off last week’s defensive performance

Heading into last week’s game, Ohio State was coming off what was one of their worst defensive performances since Matt Patricia took the sticks as defensive coordinator in 2025. Even though the Buckeyes won comfortably they allowed the Fighting Illini to score 19 points and roll up over 450 yards.

Last week the defense surrendered just 238 yards and 14 points. While Iowa will never be confused with an explosive offense, the effort by the Silver Bullets was still on the road in a tough environment. With two turnovers forced, Ohio State was able to get the ball back in the hands of the offense, allowing the Buckeyes to control time of possession.

The goal should be the same this week. Keep the defense on the sidelines and fresh since they’ll be called on a lot more next week on the road against Indiana.

Third Down

Notable Ohio State/Maryland connections

1) Matt Barnes

The former Ohio State assistant coach returns to Columbus as special teams coordinator for Maryland. Barnes is in his second stint with the program. From 2016 to 2018 Barnes was the team’s special teams coordinator and linebackers coach.

Following the 2018 season, Ryan Day hired Barnes as Ohio State’s special teams coordinator and assistant secondary coach. Barnes was elevated to safeties coach prior to the 2020 season.

During the 2021 season Barnes was given defensive play calling duties after Kerry Coombs was stripped of the responsibility. Following the season Barnes was hired as the defensive coordinator at Memphis, where he spent two seasons. Prior to this year Barnes was co-defensive coordinator at Mississippi State for two years.

2) Gary Williams

The Maryland graduate spent three seasons as Ohio State’s men’s basketball coach from 1986-89 before returning to his alma mater. Williams posted a 59-41 record during his time at the program, leading the Buckeyes to one NCAA Tournament and two NIT appearances.

After returning to Maryland, Williams built the Terrapuns into a national powerhouse, headlined by winning the national title in 2002. Williams finished his time at Maryland with a 461-252 record, leading the Terrapins to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances.

3) Dwayne Haskins

After moving from New Jersey to Maryland in ninth grade, Dwayne Haskins originally committed to Maryland while in high school but reopened his recruitment following the firing of head coach Randy Edsall. Haskins would eventually commit to Ohio State to play under head coach Urban Meyer.

Even though Haskins only started one season at Ohio State, it was the most prolific in school history. During the 2018 season, Haskins threw for over 4,800 yards and 50 touchdowns as the Buckeyes would go on to win the Rose Bowl in Meyer’s final season as Ohio State’s head coach.

Haskins would go on to be drafted with the 15th overall pick by the Washington Commanders in the 2019 NFL Draft. Following two seasons in Washington Haskins was released and eventually signed with Pittsburgh in 2021, spending a year with the team before he was tragically killed when he was struck by a vehicle in April 2022.

& Out

Prediction: 54-10, Ohio State

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