Ohio State Football: Game-by-Game Predictions for the Month of October

As September gives way to October, the No. 20 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1) are ready to move past their nonconference slate and kick off a potential Big Ten title run.

Ohio State enters league play with some momentum after back-to-back routs of intrastate opponents. The Buckeyes blasted Kent State in a 66-0 shutout, and after a week off, they piled up 710 yards of total offense in a 50-28 victory over Cincinnati.

The Buckeyes needed that positive momentum after falling at home for the first time under Urban Meyer in Week 2, when the Virginia Tech Hokies blitzed their way to a 35-21 upset win.

With Big Ten play looming, Ohio State will face off against the league's two newest members—Maryland and Rutgers—before a showdown against Penn State in Happy Valley. 

Here are the Buckeyes' game-by-game predictions for the month of October. 

Maryland

Credit: David Regimbal

After facing a lethal set of playmakers in the Cincinnati game, the Buckeyes will be tasked with defending a Maryland offense loaded with talent on the perimeter. 

Just like last week against the Bearcats, it will take a while for the Buckeyes to adjust defensively. 

Stefon Diggs—who was recruited hard by Urban Meyer when he first took over in Columbus—will ignite the home crowd as he finds holes in Ohio State's defense early. The star wideout will fuel the Terrapins offense, hauling in five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in the first half.

J.T. Barrett will help Ohio State keep pace. The Buckeyes quarterback will throw first-half touchdowns to Jeff Heuerman and Dontre Wilson, and with two minutes to go in the half, Ezekiel Elliott will break a 25-yard touchdown run to give the Buckeyes a 24-17 lead at halftime.

After both teams produce clock-eating touchdown drives to open the third quarter, Meyer will be searching for a way to break open the one-possession game in the fourth. Devin Smith will become that answer when he breaks free behind Maryland's secondary with six minutes to go. Barrett will hit Smith in stride for the game-sealing 60-yard touchdown.

Ohio State 38, Maryland 24

Rutgers

Credit: David Regimbal

Ohio State will be well rested for its only home game of the month—the inaugural Big Ten meeting against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

With a bye week after the Maryland game, the Buckeyes will come out sharp, scoring the game's first 17 points. Ezekiel Elliott will be the main benefactor, scoring on runs of 45 and 20 yards to give the Buckeyes the early lead.

Rutgers kicker Kyle Federico will finally get his team on the board with a 35-yard field goal, but the Buckeyes will answer with a methodical 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to take a 24-3 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

Gary Nova will provide a spark during Rutgers' opening third-quarter drive, finding Leonte Carroo and Andrew Turzilli on pivotal third downs. Desmon Peoples will punch in the Scarlet Knights' first touchdown of the game from three yards out. 

That will be as close as Rutgers gets. Ezekiel Elliott will break free for his third touchdown run of the game on the ensuing drive, and J.T. Barrett will cap a six-play, 50-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Evan Spencer at the end of the third quarter. 

Nova will connect with Paul James for a 30-yard touchdown against Ohio State's second-team defense before the Buckeyes close out the comfortable victory.

Ohio State 41, Rutgers 17

Penn State

Credit: David Regimbal

Penn State will certainly have last year's 63-14 thrashing on its mind when Ohio State visits State College on October 25. 

Despite their best efforts, the Nittany Lions won't be able to avenge that historic loss.

J.T. Barrett will struggle early with the raucous Beaver Stadium crowd, throwing two first-half interceptions. The Nittany Lions will only be able to convert those into two field goals from Sam Ficken, though, as Christian Hackenberg fails to find a groove of his own.

The Buckeyes' redshirt freshman signal-caller will break the game open at the tail end of the first half.

Leading 7-6 with three minutes left in the second quarter, Barrett will complete six passes on an eight-play, 65-yard touchdown drive to close out the half. 

The two teams will trade touchdown drives to open the half, but by then, the Nittany Lions won't be able to knock the Buckeyes out of their rhythm. Ficken will add on another field goal to close out the third quarter, but Ohio State will answer with another eight-play touchdown march that will effectively end the game. 

Hackenberg will throw two fourth-quarter interceptions as the Buckeyes cruise to a 15-point victory.

Ohio State 31, Penn State 16

David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.