Maryland @ Ohio State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 4, 2014 ) Ohio State 52, Maryland 24

Junior running back Ezekiel Elliott is back in his big-game form and looks for his 11th consecutive 100-yard outing when top-ranked Ohio State squares off against visiting Maryland in Saturday's Big Ten contest. Elliott rushed for a career-best 274 yards in last Saturday's win over Indiana, tying with Keith Byars (1984) for second most in Buckeyes' history and reminding observers of his incredible performance over the final three games of last season.

The defending national champions have never gotten their passing game in sync so more epic performances from Elliott could be on the horizon. "It definitely boosts our morale," sophomore guard Billy Price said at a press conference. "Everyone has been dogging the offensive line, so it represents what our unit is all about - a bunch of tough, hard-working dudes giving it their all and trying to help our team make plays." Maryland was blanked 28-0 by Michigan last week and has lost its last two games by a combined 73-6 and speculation about the job security of coach Randy Edsall is on the rise. "We'll get it straightened out," Edsall told reporters. "We'll come out of it and we'll all be better for it."

TV: Noon p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Ohio State -33.

ABOUT MARYLAND (2-3, 0-1 Big Ten): Junior return specialist William Likely is a threat anytime he fields the ball and has returned two punts for scores while averaging 24 yards per return and is also averaging 22.1 yards on kickoffs. Senior running back Brandon Ross (team-best 402 yards) is 13 yards away from becoming the 12th player in school history to reach 2,000 rushing yards, while junior quarterback Caleb Rowe is struggling mightily with a 44 percent completion rate and 12 interceptions in just 91 attempts. Sophomore middle linebacker Jermaine Carter has a team-high 54 tackles, while junior defensive end Yannick Ngakoue has a team-best 6.5 sacks and junior defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson has 5.5 sacks.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (5-0, 1-0): Junior quarterback Cardale Jones has an 8-0 record as a starter but his 2015 production hasn't been all that impressive with 867 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions. Elliott is averaging 7.3 yards per carry while rushing for 729 yards and eight touchdowns, while junior receiver Michael Thomas has been solid with 20 receptions for 292 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan has 30 tackles over the past two games to raise his team-best total to 54, while sophomore defensive end Tyquan Lewis (6.5 tackles for losses), sophomore linebacker Darron Lee (five) and junior defensive end Joey Bosa (five) are spending ample time in the opponents' backfield.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ohio State rolled to a 52-24 victory last season in the first meeting between the schools.

2. Maryland senior CB Sean Davis leads the nation with four forced fumbles and also has two interceptions.

3. Buckeyes senior WR Corey Smith suffered a broken leg against Indiana and is lost for the season.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 38, Maryland 3