Just two weeks ago, Ohio State Buckeyes fans were calling for starting quarterback CJ Stroud to be benched for Kyle McCord. Instead, Stroud took the start against Rutgers and won OSU fans back with the best performance of his career to this point.
Ohio State will now welcome the Maryland Terrapins to Ohio Stadium for a Big Ten matchup at 12:00 p.m. ET Saturday as the Buckeyes look to show that they’re still the kings of the Big Ten.
As massive favorites, can Ohio State replicate last week’s success against an overachieving Maryland team? Our Maryland vs Ohio State picks and predictions are below.
Maryland vs Ohio State odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Ohio State opened as a 21.5-point favorite. The Buckeyes have since dropped to 20.5 points, giving potential Ohio State bettors a chance at covering with a three-touchdown lead.
The total has increased from 68.5 up to 71.5 at some outlets as of Wednesday afternoon.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
Maryland vs Ohio State picks
Picks made on 10/6/2021 at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Maryland vs Ohio State game info
• Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
• Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021
• Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
Maryland vs Ohio State betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
Maryland: Deonte Banks DB (Out), Dontay Demus Jr. WR (Out), Fa’Najee Gotay LB (Out)
Ohio State: TreVeyon Henderson RB (Probable), Harry Miller OL (Questionable), Tyreke Smith DE (Questionable)
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Buckeyes are 6-0 ATS in their last six games in October. Find more NCAA betting trends for Maryland vs. Ohio State.
Maryland vs Ohio State predictions
Ohio State -20.5 (-110)
The Maryland Terrapins won four straight games to start the season against low-level competition. There was noise surrounding the program, but any noise you heard then, you’re not going to hear now.
Maryland was absolutely destroyed against Iowa last week, 51-14, proving that The Terps just don’t belong anywhere near the AP Top 25 this season.
The Terrapins offense has done some nice things behind Taulia Tagovailoa. But while he’s thrown for 12 touchdowns, he’s also has thrown six interceptions on the season. For the most part, the offense isn’t all that bad but against a team like Iowa (or Ohio State), this unit is going to struggle.
Ohio State has no weakness on defense, although they've allowed nearly 400 yards per game this season in five contests. Tackling has been a slight issue, but overall, the Buckeyes have been fine, allowing about three touchdowns per game.
Offensively, CJ Stroud missed a little bit of time due to an injury, but since he’s returned, he’s looked like the real deal. Maryland’s secondary has allowed just 226.5 yards per game in the air, but again, they haven’t faced any offense like Ohio State.
The Buckeyes literally have the best wide receiver duo in the nation and as long as Tre’Veyon Henderson is healthy at running back, the run game should have no problem against Maryland. The biggest liability for the Terrapins this season has been stopping the run.
Once Ohio State has success rushing the football, things will open up in the passing game and it’ll be impossible to stop this offense. Just ask Rutgers.
Over 71 (-110)
I’m not afraid to say this: I think Ohio State can score on every single possession against Maryland. Unless, of course, Ohio State elects to empty the bench in the fourth quarter like they did against Rutgers.
Either way, if Iowa is capable of 51, Ohio State is too. Iowa forced seven turnovers against Maryland and, again, Ohio State is capable of capitalizing off mistakes as well.
Iowa needed the turnovers to score points. Meanwhile, Ohio State just needs the ball and they’ll score in a blink of an eye. With the offense and potential takeaways, OSU could hit Over on that 50-marker. On the other hand, Ohio State has allowed nearly 21 points per game.
Maryland can score on a couple of possessions in this game and potentially a garbage touchdown late in the game for three touchdowns. I’d project Ohio State scoring right around 55 points and Maryland to score about 21.
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