Off-Script Ohio: Maryland preview, biggest surprises and our CFP top four

Off-Script Ohio: Maryland preview, biggest surprises and our CFP top four

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Off-Script Ohio: Maryland preview, biggest surprises and our CFP top four
COLUMBUS, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 19: Jay Timmons #25 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with teammate Devin Sanchez #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes following a play during the second quarter of a game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Ohio Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Ohio State gets a favorable matchup with Maryland, while Cole and Joey discuss the biggest surprises of the season and make their College Football Playoff top four picks.

Ohio State is back in action Saturday, taking on Maryland at 4:15 p.m. ET on BTN. The Buckeyes enter as 34.5-point favorites, and after a dominant defensive performance against Iowa, this one could get out of hand quickly.

Maryland enters at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play. The Terrapins opened the season with wins over Hampton and UConn before losses to Virginia Tech, UCLA and Nebraska. Maryland was particularly ugly in its 51-point loss to UCLA, losing 54-3.

The numbers don’t exactly inspire confidence, either. The Terrapins are averaging 30.4 points per game while allowing 30.2, and they rank 80th nationally in total offense while converting just 35 percent of their third downs.

Quarterback Malik Washington has thrown for seven touchdowns and six interceptions, while Maryland has split the workload in the backfield between Iverson Howard and Dejuan Williams. Chris Durr Jr. has been the team’s top receiving threat with 42 catches for 461 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensively, five-star Maryland commit Zion Elee has been one of the few bright spots, already recording two sacks this season.

Our College Football Playoff picks

We also made our picks for the current College Football Playoff top four, breaking down which teams we believe have done enough to establish themselves as legitimate national championship contenders.

Of course, we had plenty more to discuss before Ohio State heads to Maryland on Saturday.

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