Ohio State / Maryland Preview – One More Before “The Game”

Ohio State / Maryland Preview – One More Before “The Game”

Sam Hickey is a college football analyst for Wannamakeabet.com

Point spread, betting lines, predictions

Point spread: Ohio State -27.5 Total: 64.5 points

The Ohio State Buckeyes will travel to College Park Maryland for their week 12 matchup, slated for a 3:30 pm local kickoff. The Buckeyes come into the game 10-0 with their sites set on a historic matchup with Michigan next weekend. A slip up from Ohio State in this game would be detrimental to their hopes of a spot in the college football playoff while Maryland looks to finish their season strong with not much to play for other than a monumental upset. The Terps are already bowl eligible and they are mathematically eliminated for an opportunity to win the East and play for a Big Ten title in Indianapolis on December 3rd. 

Why Maryland can cover

Taulia Tagovailoa ranks 4th in the Big Ten in passing yards and has some very solid weapons on the outside in Rakim Jarrett and Corey Dyches. This combo of skill players and a talented and experienced quarterback could pose problems for a young and beat up Ohio State secondary. The Buckeyes were without starting cornerback Denzel Burke last week and were forced to go with Freshman JK Johnson last week against Indiana.

Although the Buckeyes routed Indiana, Johnson was exposed on a few deep balls and has struggled at times during this season against below average skill players. The other concern bettors could have with the Buckeyes is the fact that this is a huge look ahead spot. I believe Ryan Day will have the guys ready to play, but he must admit that it is going to be very difficult to not have the matchup with Michigan next week in the back of their minds.

It is also no secret that the Buckeyes are short handed on the offensive side of the football with key injuries on the offensive line, and both in the running back and wide receiver rooms. All American right tackle Dawand Jones was out last week with a nagging ankle injury and projected to 10 pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been out most of the season with a hamstring. I have to think the Buckeyes will likely want to give these stars one extra week of rest going into “The Game” next weekend. 

Why Ohio State can cover

Ohio State is one of two teams in the country that rank in the top 10 in overall offense and defense. Even with their injury struggles they are loaded with NFL talent on both sides of the football. CJ Stroud has put together a Heisman caliber junior season and has developed tremendous chemistry with Biletnikoff finalist Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State’s speed and physicality will pose issues for Maryland’s 8th ranked Big Ten defense. On top of their stellar offense, I believe the depth of the defensive line will create problems for Tagovailoa all game long as they will be able to get pressure and make him uncomfortable. The addition of Jim Knowles as DC has allowed the Buckeyes to complete a full 360 from the defensive woes a year ago. Overall, this is an extremely lopsided matchup on both sides of the football.

Prediction

Even with their injuries and being on the road, Ohio State is far superior to this Maryland team. You add that with the fact the Terps have scored a combined ten points in their last two ball games against subpar defenses, this line screams Ohio State. The Buckeyes will win this game BIG and head back to Columbus for the biggest game of this college football season next week. 

Pick- Ohio State -27.5