Five Bold Predictions For Ohio State Vs. Maryland
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Last week, Ohio State managed to move to 4-1 on the year thanks to a few incredible performances on offense. Last week, we got two right! The best player in college football broke both career marks for the program, and the Buckeye defense held Iowa to just 39 yards! We did miss on the other three, of course. Devin Sanchez didn’t get a pick-six, no tight ends scored, and the Buckeyes couldn’t down a punt inside the five. Disappointing, but getting three over the last two weeks is a borderline Hall of Fame pace, so let’s keep the hot streak going!
Once again, these “bold” predictions are for fun. If you take this as betting advice in any way, you should probably just call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Season total: 4-25
Five Bold Predictions For Ohio State Vs. Maryland
1. Running Backs Gash Maryland For Five 25+ Yard Runs
If you want to talk about bold, let’s talk about the Ohio State rushing attack being explosive on Saturday. Thus far, if you limit big plays to over 25 yards, the Buckeyes managed two against Ball State, none at Texas, none against Kent State, none against Illinois, and none against Iowa. Even if you expand it to 20 yards, Ohio State has three runs, all of which from the Ball State game.
The Buckeyes are due. Even if the runs have to come from depth late in the game, the Buckeyes need to add an element of “he can take it to the house from anywhere” to the offense. Imagine how Indiana would have to play defense while respecting explosive gains on the ground while having to deal with Jeremiah Smith next week.
Those two big runs came on back-to-back drives to start the second half of the Ball State game. Bo Jackson took the first and Ja’Kobi Jackson took the second. There was all kinds of hype this preseason surrounding Isaiah West and Legend Bey, but neither have been able to step up in one way or another.
Honestly, this is more of a hope pick than anything. If the Buckeyes are forced to be one-dimentional, they can still win plenty of ballgames, but when facing a good defense, it’ll get substantially more difficult.
2. Two Buckeye Receivers Get Their First Career Touchdown Catches (With Ohio State)
We will take a break from predicting more and more greatness from Smith this week. He will get his and he will likely inch closer to owning Big Ten records, but let’s try to shine a light on the rest of the receiver room.
As of the injury report from Thursday, both Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin are considered questionable. Now, college football isn’t held to the same standard that the NFL is when it comes to these things, so it could be that both receivers took an easy day or they are both actually banged up. Either way, there is a legitimate concern that the Buckeyes are going to have to turn to their depth in this one. Ideally, if there is any doubt, just let them rest up to be fully-healthy for the trip to Bloomington next week.
The three receiver we’ve mentioned to this point – Smith, McCuin, and Inniss – have 12 of the Buckeyes’ 16 receiving touchdowns. This may be a bigger game for first-year players Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd. Henry has a pair of touchdowns on three receptions, but Boyd has yet to find pay dirt. He’s been the talk of the town with his effort in practice and in the games and he’s earned the trust of Julian Sayin.
In addition to Boyd, there is Kyle Parker, the LSU transfer. Parker hasn’t appeared in a game for the Buckeyes just yet this year due to a lingering injury, but he’s evidently good to go this week. He and Boyd are the best bets to find the end zone for the first time as Buckeyes. At the same time, look for Phillip Bell, Ja’Kobi Jackson, or Jerquaden Guilford to get a shot later on.
3. Riley Pettijohn Leads The Defense In Tackles
In our defensive preview, we predicted that the linebackers are going to have an opportunity to show out in this one. Leading the way this week will be Riley Pettijohn.
This isn’t the boldest predition ever considering Pettijohn has led the team in tackles once before and has led the way in snaps twice, but with how Maryland plays, therein lies a great opportunity for the star second-year linebacker.
He might be the best linebacker in the group, but he’s been in the game for both first-team and second-team snaps thus far. He will likely lead the group in snaps again in this one. Don’t be surprised if he comes up with an impact play like an interception or sack.
4. Secondary Hauls In At Least Three Interceptions
This could be a bit more bold. While Malik Washington has a Big Ten-leading six interceptions on the year, they’ve all come over the last two games in Big Ten play. In the loss to UCLA, he turned it over a whopping four times!
Ideally, Ohio State’s secondary can say that it’s better than UCLA’s. After all, the Bruins are allowing 225 yards per game through the air while the Buckeyes only allow 168.
Washington is prone to making mistakes. The Ohio State front seven needs to force him into making those mistakes. The secondary needs to make sure it takes advantage. Ohio State has hauled in just four intercecptions to this point this year, and two were by linebackers. Those other two were Jaylen McClain.
5. Devin Sanchez Unflagged
Normally, we save the fifth bold prediction for special teams. We are oh-fer to this point. So, let’s switch it up a bit. This time, let’s say second-year corner Devin Sanchez gets through this game without being flagged for defensive pass interference.
Over the last two games, Sanchez has racked up four defensive pass interference calls. He had Thorpe Award aspirations to begin the year, but he hasn’t quite played to those levels just yet. To start, he doesn’t have an interception. Sure, playing corner isn’t all about interceptions, but it doesn’t hurt.
Sanchez is supposed to be the next great Buckeye corner. He had all the hype as a five-star recruit and even earned meaningful time in the rotation last year as a true freshman. He’s going to be tested against Maryland; no team in the Big Ten throws it more. Considering the Terps have only played four games (while USC has played six), that’s saying something.
Bottom Line on Ohio State vs Maryland
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
History: Ohio State 9-0 Maryland
Last Matchup: Ohio State won, 37-17, in 2023
Last Maryland Win: N/A
Date and Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
How to Watch: Big Ten Network
Spread: Ohio State -34.5; O/U 56.5 (via FanDuel)
Prediction: The Buckeyes are now 4-1 ATS thus far, thanks to the line moving against Iowa. Giving 35 points to Ohio State may seem like a lot, but this one may be covered by half. UCLA put up 54. Ohio State doesn’t have to worry about style points or putting up a lot to be recognized and respected as the Bruins do, but it should be just as lopsided. Let’s say the Buckeyes win, 51-10
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