Maryland vs. Ohio State: Complete Game Preview
No. 1 Ohio State has a flimsy grasp on the top spot in the polls after a lackluster performance against Indiana Saturday, and Urban Meyer will look to get his team back on track against the slumping Maryland Terrapins.
The Buckeyes (5-0) have struggled offensively this season, but they've shown signs of life over the last two weeks. Cardale Jones threw for 200 yards in the first half against the Hoosiers, and Ezekiel Elliott ran wild for 243 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries in the second half.
Ohio State will look to build off that momentum against the Terrapins (2-3), who have been outscored 73-6 in their last two games against West Virginia and Michigan.
Viewing Information
Date: Saturday, October 10
Time: Noon, ET
Place: Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
TV: Big Ten Network
Spread: Ohio State (-28.5), via Odds Shark
Ohio State Keys to Victory
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Trust Your Quarterback
It became clear down the stretch of the Indiana game that Urban Meyer doesn't entirely trust his quarterback.
The Buckeyes were clinging to a seven-point lead against the surging Hoosiers, but instead of throwing the ball against a defense that was stacking the box against Ezekiel Elliott, Meyer chose to run the ball.
That conservative play-calling resulted in back-to-back 3-and-outs, allowing Indiana to cut Ohio State's two-score lead in half while giving it a chance to tie or take the lead in the final minute of the fourth quarter.
Meyer and the Buckeyes have made the decision to go with Cardale Jones at quarterback. The next step in the process is to truly give him the keys to the offense.
Establish the Passing Attack Early
It has been a weekly occurrence for opposing defenses to load the box in an effort to contain Elliott and the Buckeyes' explosive rushing attack. Indiana used this approach, bringing eight (and often nine) defenders in the box. It took Meyer and Ohio State almost an entire quarter to identify this and attack the defense in the vertical passing game, and Jones responded by throwing for 167 yards in the second quarter alone.
It's hard to imagine Maryland breaking the mold, so Ohio State should have some big openings down the field in the first half. The Buckeyes should attack that this Saturday.
Maryland Keys to Victory
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Emphasize Turnovers
Ohio State was expected to be one of the most efficient offenses in the country this year, but that hasn't been the case due to the struggles from the quarterback position. The Buckeyes rank 117th in the country with 13 turnovers through three games, and their three turnovers against Indiana almost cost them the game.
That's something Maryland can take advantage of, but only if it takes care of the ball when it's on offense. The Terrapins rank dead last in the country in turnovers lost, as they have coughed it up an incredible 17 times through five games.
If Maryland doesn't win the turnover battle, it won't have much of a chance against Ohio State.
Contain Ezekiel Elliott
Ezekiel Elliott is one of the most talented running backs in the country, but he hadn't looked like it heading into Ohio State's Week 5 matchup with Indiana. That's when Elliott absolutely broke out for 274 yards and three touchdowns on just 23 carries, and it looks like the Buckeyes' running game is back on track.
The Terrapins will need to bring in extra defenders to stop Elliott because they've been absolutely gashed by opposing rushing attacks this season. Entering Week 6, Maryland ranks No. 102 in run defense, allowing 199.8 yards per game.
Ohio State Players to Watch
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Jalin Marshall
Ohio State is struggling to replace Devin Smith, the elite deep threat who brought the explosive playmaking ability to the offense a season ago. The Buckeyes were relying on guys such as Corey Smith to fill that role, but Smith suffered what appeared to be a significant leg injury against the Hoosiers Saturday.
That puts pressure on Jalin Marshall, who has been identified by the coaching staff as another deep threat.
Marshall struggled with ball security against the Hoosiers, though, fumbling the ball twice, both of which were recovered by the defense. The Buckeyes will need Marshall to take better care of the ball because he's one of their most elite playmakers.
Tyquan Lewis
Ohio State's defensive line boasts two players in Joey Bosa and Adolphus Washington who could be drafted on the first day of the NFL Draft, but Tyquan Lewis has been one of the team's most consistent pass-rushers this year.
Lewis currently leads the team with 3.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss, and he was at his best against the Hoosiers, notching a sack and 3.5 tackles for loss. With Bosa and Washington garnering so much attention, Lewis has done an outstanding job of beating his man in one-on-one situations.
But Maryland has done a good job protecting its quarterbacks, giving up just six sacks through five games.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Maryland Players to Watch
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The Quarterbacks
Maryland quarterback Caleb Rowe has had a rough start to the year, and things completely bottomed out for him in the last two games when he completed just 33 percent of his passes for 114 yards and seven interceptions against West Virginia and Michigan. He was benched in both games, and head coach Randy Edsall suggested that a change was in the works after the game.
“I mean, I think you know we'll be making a change,” Edsall said, according to Daniel Gallen of the Carroll County Times. “What direction we go, we'll wait to see what happens there.”
That likely means the Buckeyes will see Daxx Garman this Saturday. He hasn't been that much better this year, completing just 52.9 percent of his passes, but he's only thrown two interceptions against four touchdowns.
The Terrapins will need to get much better play from the quarterback position to keep this game competitive.
Will Likely, Cornerback/Returner
Ohio State's special teams have been outstanding under Urban Meyer, but the Buckeyes will be facing one of the most dangerous returners in college football this Saturday.
Will Likely currently leads the country in punt return yards (360) and punt return touchdowns (two). The Buckeyes have an outstanding punter in Cameron Johnston, whose rugby-style punting makes it hard for potential returners.
But Likely doesn't need much space to make something happen, and if the Buckeyes find themselves in a close game again, he has the ability to blow things wide open.
What They're Saying
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Ohio State offensive tackle Taylor Decker knows that the offense has potential, but it won't tap into it until it plays more efficiently, according to Eric Seger of Eleven Warriors:
"We're just shooting ourselves in the foot a lot. Not taking anything away from [Indiana's] defense, because they did play really well, but penalties, missed communications, missed blocks, things like that. It's killing us. It's killing us. A lot of mistakes, a lot of things that we need to clean up, but when we execute properly, the offense looks great.
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Maryland coach Randy Edsall is searching for answers after a shutout loss to Michigan with Ohio State on the horizon, according to Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun:
"It's just like this week. We told them that this was a great opportunity against Michigan, and that's why you come here. What we'll do is, we'll get them ready to go again next week and bounce back, and that's what we'll do. To me, I think it's great when you get a chance to be able to play these teams, and now you get a chance to measure up and compete. That's the thing you got to do, just go and compete and have fun.
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Ezekiel Elliott is focusing on finishing runs after the Indiana game, according to Bill Landis of Northeast Ohio Media Group:
"We knew going into the second half that there were some runs I really didn't finish the way I should've. I could've broke them. Coming out into the second half, something I really focused on was my second-level acceleration where I could break through those arm tackles and break through into the open field.
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Prediction
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For the first time since opening the season with a dominant 42-24 victory over Virginia Tech, Ohio State will play like the No. 1 team in the country.
The Buckeyes will get the first 21 points of the game, all of which will come in the first quarter. Cardale Jones will throw a pair of touchdowns to Michael Thomas and Nick Vannett, and Ezekiel Elliott will break into a 50-yard touchdown run right before the end of the quarter.
Maryland will answer with a nice drive to open the second quarter as Daxx Garman finds Levern Jacobs on a deep pass that will set the Terrapins up inside the 5-yard line. Brandon Ross will punch it in from there to make it a 21-7 game, but that's as close as Maryland will get.
The Buckeyes will add 10 more points before halftime as Elliott continues to gash the Terrapins defense.
The coaching staff will use the third quarter to build more chemistry in the passing game, and Jones will get his third touchdown of the day when he finds Jalin Marshall behind the secondary for a 60-yard score. The Buckeyes will add 10 more points in the fourth quarter as they cruise to an easy victory.
Prediction: Ohio State 48, Maryland 10
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
