What's next for Ohio State football? An early glance at the Maryland Terrapins
Maryland reached bowl eligibility before November for the first time since 2010.
But since a 6-2 start, the Terrapins have dropped consecutive games at Penn State and Wisconsin in lopsided fashion.
Last Saturday’s loss was a low point as their offense, which came in averaging 31 points per game, was shut out in a 30-0 loss to the Nittany Lions.
The setback was also a reflection of the trouble the Terrapins have had in moving out of the Big Ten’s middle class.
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Since joining the conference in 2014, they have gone 3-21 against Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State, the teams that largely make up the upper of the league, and have never finished higher than third place in the East Division.
Week 12: Ohio State (10-0) at Maryland (6-4)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC, 97.1 FM/1460 AM
Poll position
The Buckeyes have been entrenched at No. 2 in the major polls for five straight weeks and held the spot in each of the first two College Football Playoff rankings. The selection committee releases its third set of rankings on Tuesday night.
Ohio State vs. Maryland point spread
It’s another lopsided line in favor of the Buckeyes, who opened as 27.5-point favorites over the Terrapins.
Maryland’s last game
Not only was Maryland held scoreless at Penn State over the weekend, but the 134 total yards of offense it amassed were its fewest since it was previously shut out by the Nittany Lions in a 59-0 loss in 2019.
Maryland’s strength
Led by quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, the Terrapins rank fourth in the Big Ten in pass offense, averaging 241.5 yards per game through the air.
Maryland’s weakness
The offensive line hasn’t been a big help for Tagovailoa, who has contended with a nonstop pass rush this fall. According to Pro Football Focus, he's faced pressure on 106 drop-backs, the third-most among quarterbacks in the Big Ten. The Terrapins have surrendered 29 sacks in 10 games.
Maryland’s player to watch
Rakim Jarrett, a former five-star recruit in the class of 2020, remains the top receiving target for Tagovailoa with 37 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns. The Washington, D.C. native committed to Louisiana State before flipping three years ago.
Maryland’s X-factor
Mike Locksley’s opening scripts have been effective. In five out of 10 games, Maryland has come away with a touchdown following its first drive, and twice it got at least a field goal.
Ohio State-Maryland series history
The Buckeyes are unbeaten against Maryland since it joined the Big Ten in 2014, and none of the matchups have been particularly close with the exception of a back-and-forth game in 2018. The Buckeyes won in a 66-17 rout last season.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at jkaufman@dispatch.com or on Twitter @joeyrkaufman.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football glance at Week 12 opponent Maryland Terrapins
