Ohio State vs. Maryland: Final thoughts to get ready for the game

It’s Week 12 of the college football season and Game 11 for the Ohio State Buckeyes. This time the scarlet and gray hit the road to take on a very up-and-down Maryland squad that has the talent and explosiveness to give the Buckeyes a challenge.

The oddsmakers don’t see it that way, but you don’t have to look far to find a game where going to College Park resulted in a track meet. OSU had to outlast the Terrapins 52-51 back in 2018 when it last traveled to Maryland.

As we prepare for this game to come to a high-definition television or streaming device near you, we have some final thoughts to get you ready for all of the action Saturday afternoon.

Here are some things to think about as you tune into an important Big Ten game.

NEXT … Final Thoughts for Ohio State vs. Maryland

Final Thoughts for the Ohio State vs. Maryland Game

• Maryland still hasn’t beaten this Buckeye program. The two never met on the gridiron until the Terrapins joined the Big Ten in 2014 and OSU has won all seven meetings.

• The Buckeyes’ largest margin of victory over Maryland came in a 62-3 win in 2016.

• The closest game was in 2018 when the Terrapins got out in front of Ohio State at home before the Buckeyes rallied for a 52-51 win. That one that Maryland miss on a two-point conversion in overtime that would have won the game.

• Taulia Tagovailoa will be the difference in this one for Maryland. If he can play to his capabilities and is healthy enough to do so, he could pose some issues for the OSU defense and keep the Terps closer than the experts think.

• Ohio State running back Miyan Williams is out again but TreVeyon Henderson is back. How do Ryan Day and staff play this game with taking care of the running back room just one week away from the big one against Michigan? You have to win the game Saturday, but you also have to be as healthy as possible for The Game.

• It should be noticeable that the talent level at Maryland is much better than what Ohio State fans are used to. The skill positions have gotten a significant upgrade over the last couple of years under Mike Locksley.

• Depth and physicality have still been an issue though. This team has looked like a beat-up and worn-down unit as Big Ten play has leaned on it at the end of the year.

• Though this game still means a lot, don’t fret too much if there’s an unexpected and shocking upset (dare I say it). No matter what happens with both OSU and Michigan’s games on Saturday, the winner of the big one in Columbus will be the Big East representative in Indy and likely have a shot to still get into the College Football Playoff, even with a loss. It’s not a slam dunk, but still very much alive.

• Good news for Ohio State; the weather report looks pretty good. Yes, it will be cold, but there is no precipitation in the forecast — and perhaps more importantly — the wind is just supposed to be a light breeze.

• How much does Dallan Hayden become a part of this game? You have to think he gets more touches in this one right?

• By the way, you have to love what Hayden brings to the table. He’s still a bit undersized for the Big Ten which is no doubt being addressed in the weight room, but he hits the hole fast and seems to have very good vision for a young guy.

• What kind of ridiculous catch(es) are we going to see from Marvin Harrison Jr. Saturday? He himself seems to be must-watch television.

• Where will C.J. Stroud be in the Heisman race after this week? Does he stay on top by throwing gobs of touchdowns and a pinball number of yards through the air? Or — does Ohio State keep things on the ground more in the colder weather?

• What kind of crowd will be in College Park? Will we see a lot of scarlet and gray or will the home crowd show up? People in the DMV area haven’t exactly rushed out to see the team this season.

• Everyone would love to see this game be an offensive line-driven one, especially with the game vs. Michigan coming up next week. Can OSU build on the running success it had against Indiana last week?

• For the love of all things good and pure, can we make this a rather stress-free game? I don’t know if I can handle a close one this week and then survive the anticipation and anxiety of next week.

• Let’s do this!

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Ohio State vs. Maryland Buckeyes Wire staff predictions

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Story originally appeared on Buckeye Wire