How can the Buckeyes beat Maryland? Three keys for Ohio State football's last road game
The Ohio State football team plays Maryland in the last regular season road game of 2022 for the Buckeyes as Ohio State looks to stay undefeated before the Michigan game.
The Buckeyes (10-0 overall, 7-0 in Big Ten) enter the game ranked No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings, while Maryland (6-4, 3-4) is coming off a 30-0 loss to Penn State last week.
Want to keep up with Ohio State? Don't miss a single Buckeyes story. Get a great deal by subscribing to the Dispatch today at www.dispatch.com/subscribenow/.
A 27.5-point favorite, the Buckeyes are trying to avoid a letdown before facing No. 3-ranked Michigan on Nov. 26 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Ohio State football stadium:Ohio Stadium has turf at center of an NFL controversy
Ohio State football: Ryan Day hoping, not expecting return from Ohio State football receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Here are three keys for No. 2 Ohio State against Maryland on Saturday:
Don’t look ahead at Michigan game
Next week’s clash with archrival Michigan looms large on the calendar. Not only are the stakes high with Big Ten championship game and College Football Playoff berths on the line, but the matchup also leaves Ohio State with an opportunity to avenge its loss from a year ago. Expect the Buckeyes, who were humbled in Ann Arbor last November, to be eager for that opportunity. Which is reason to be mindful of the potential makings for a trap game and avoid looking past Maryland.
Big Ten Power Rankings: Week before showdown, Michigan stays No. 1 over Ohio State
Start fast
After sleepwalking out of the gate at Northwestern two weeks ago, Ohio State wasted little time overwhelming Indiana on Saturday. Four of its first six drives resulted in touchdowns as it built an early 28-7 lead over the Hoosiers. If the Buckeyes start sluggish this week, Maryland is capable of taking advantage. The Terrapins get going fast. Half of their opening drives this season have ended in the end zone, and they rank fourth in the Big Ten in first-quarter scoring. Jumping on them early could deal a setback.
OSU releases 2023 ticket prices:How much will it cost to see Ohio State football in 2023?
Pressure the pocket
The vulnerability for Maryland’s offense is up front. Its offensive line has allowed 29 sacks, the third-most in the Big Ten, and has been especially porous in recent weeks. Over consecutive losses to Penn State and Wisconsin, the Terrapins surrendered a combined 12 sacks and left Taulia Tagovailoa battered. The conditions are ripe for the Buckeyes’ surging defense to also put Tagovailoa under frequent duress and keep a capable passing offense in check.
Key matchup
Ohio State cornerbacks vs. Maryland wide receivers
The Buckeyes have gone through a near entire regular season without their full complement of cornerbacks, but that might change Saturday if Denzel Burke returns after being held out last week with an unspecified issue. His presence, along with Cameron Brown and Jordan Hancock, would give Ohio State its top three corners available against one of their deeper groups of receivers in the conference led by Rakim Jarrett. The 1-on-1 battles on the perimeter should be compelling.
Key stat
54: Average margin of victory of Ohio State’s two wins over Maryland in Ryan Day’s tenure.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at jkaufman@dispatch.com or on Twitter @joeyrkaufman.
Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football keys to beating Maryland on Saturday
