Ohio State Week 6 Preview: Defense Has An Interesting Matchup in Maryland
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The Ohio State defense stepped up in the Buckeyes’ win over Iowa. A week after allowing 200 yards on the ground – and 462 total offensive yards – to Illinois, the challenge was to limit the Hawkeyes’ actually decent offense. On the ground, Iowa only managed 39 yards. Through the air, it was 199 yards, but most of that was with the game well in hand on check-downs.
This week, the Buckeye defense has to keep improving against a very different, much more desperate offense. Prior to the game, Buckeye legend Malcolm Jenkins will ring the Victory Bell, as well!
Ohio State Week 6 Preview: Defense Has An Interesting Matchup in Maryland
Continue Plugging The Lanes
In Week 1, Maryland kicked of the year with an impressive 356 yards on the ground against Hampton (FCS). With win over UCONN wasn’t bad either, but in three games against Power 4 teams, the Terps have averaged just 81 yards per game…and most of that was last week against Nebraska.
The question will be whether or not the Buckeye interior defenders can make an impact. Last week, the Ohio State defense amassed four tackles for loss, and one-and-a-half of them came from the linebackers. Qua Russaw and Kenyatta Jackson (which was a strip sack) earned the others. While it was a good game for the defensive ends, you’d like more from John Walker, James Smith, Will Smith Jr., Jason Moore, and Eddrick Houston.
Overall, holding Iowa to 39 yards was about as impressive a performance as any. Against Maryland, it should be just as easy, at least on paper.
Look for this to be a fairly big week for the linebackers, one way or another. Payton Pierce and Christian Alliegro have been leading the way as starters, but TJ Alford and Riley Pettijohn are right there. This game looks like a great opportunity for Alford and Pettijohn to earn more playing time and really show that they have what it takes to be trusted with more.
Get Back To Expectations
To this point, the Ohio State secondary has been solid, but not quite as elite as it expects of itself; afterall, it prides itself as “Best In America.” Of course, on paper, Ohio State owns the 23rd-best passing defense while allowing 168 yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks are only completing 53.4% of their passes, but watching the game makes folks come away thinking differently.
One player who has fallen short of his own lofty expectations to this point is Devin Sanchez. Statistically, he has 20 tackles, one tackle for loss, and five pass breakups. Notably, he hasn’t hauled in an interception yet. However, he’s been dinged for five pass interference calls this year, four of which have been over the last two games. Some are justified, and others are a bit ticky-tacky (like the one against Texas).
Sanchez had Thorpe Award aspirations heading into the season. At least to this point, it would be hard to nominate him. He’s been good, but he’s been the subject of much ire because he was the nearest defender when the ball gets thrown, whether or not that receiver was his responsibility.
This week poises a great opportunity for Sanchez and the rest of the secondary. Maryland throws the ball. Of course, being down multiple scores early and often does that to a team. Ideally, Ohio State puts the Terps in the same position this weekend.
The Task At Hand
Maryland has a solid quaterback who is more than prone to mistakes. Think of him as a cheaper Bryce Underwood. That quarterback is second-year starter, Malik Washington. Last year, he had games in which he was incredible all while stacking up games where he looked like a freshman. This year, just like last year, he leads the Big Ten in passing attempts with nearly 200. He’s completing 62.6% of his passes for 1,288 yards and seven touchdowns. At the same time, he has six interceptions. The Buckeyes will have to keep an eye on Chris Durr and his 42 receptions for 461 yards and four touchdowns.
On the ground, the Terps are averaging nearly five yards per carry, but that’s being carried by a few explosive plays in blowouts. Among the top two running backs, that average is just 3.9 yards per carry.
If Ohio State wants to take care of business, it will want to do what UCLA did. In that one, the Bruins held Maryland to just 181 yards of offense while turning it over five times.
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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