Ohio State Football: Roundtable and Predictions vs Maryland

Urban Meyer has much to celebrate about
Urban Meyer has much to celebrate about /
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Predictions for Ohio State vs Maryland.

How will Ohio State play against Maryland? Will the Buckeyes take their new-found offense on the road? The contributors at Scarlet And Game will share our takes on how the game will play out and our predictions for the final score.

Dillon Davis:  For all of the momentum that the Buckeyes picked up with their dismantling of Nebraska last weekend, a sleepy, lackluster performance in College Park would erase a lot of those good vibes. Can Urban Meyer get his team to come out with the same swagger and emotion that they played with last week? I believe so.

A fast start sparks an early rout, thanks to Curtis Samuel, who will have an even heavier emphasis in order to keep Weber and his shoulder from taking too many hits. Samuel runs for 120 and a couple of touchdowns.

J.T. Barrett adds two on the ground and two through the air. The Silver Bullets force two turnovers, but let us all down by not returning them for touchdowns. Buckeyes roll, 42-7.

Thomas Scurlock:  After blasting Nebraska 62-3, Ohio State enters its game against Maryland with November momentum.  If the offense stays hot this week, the game could get ugly quickly.

The Terps are reeling, losing three out their last five games including a 53-9 loss to Michigan last Saturday.

Maryland is banged up with several starters battling through injuries, most notably quarterback Perry Hills who is a game time decision with a shoulder which means he’ll start.  He’s vulnerable and the line will attack him often to force him into mistakes.       

On defense, the Terps have allowed 1310 yards and 101 points over the last two games.  The grind of the Big Ten season is taking its toll on the team’s lack of depth and the offense will take advantage.

Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel will both have over 100 all-purpose yards and J.T. Barrett will spread the ball around to his stable of receivers.  It will be another 200-plus yard passing game.

My surprise of the game is Samuel returns a punt for a touchdown.  

There will be no let down for the Buckeyes as they are hitting their stride at the right moment. They win comfortably 45-10.  

Billy George:  Due to the injuries Maryland has had at the quarterback position, they’ve relied on running back Lorenzo Harrison who has averaged 7.2 yards a pop. Look for Ohio State’s defense to zero in on him and force Maryland’s inconsistent quarterbacks to throw the football to a secondary that is prone to intercepting footballs.

The Buckeyes will continue to have success on the offensive side of the ball, and I have a feeling that Mike Weber’s gonna have a big game, as the Maryland defense focuses on Curtis Samuel. I also think that Barrett will break Drew Brees’ Big Ten career record for total touchdowns responsible for (95). Barrett currently has 93 career touchdowns at this juncture.

As for the score, I have the Buckeyes winning big, 45-to-14.

Dano Opacich:  The Buckeyes will look to build on last Saturday’s blowout by annihilating Maryland. They will continue building their offense and will include Demario McCall in the ground game.

Also look for Binjimin Victor in the downfield pass game. Ohio State 41 Maryland 13.

Hayden Wetmore:  For the first time in over a month I was satisfied with an Ohio State football game. I’m an optimist, and my optimism tells me that they have gotten over the speed bump and are ready to play at an elite level.

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The fact that they beat a Top-10 Wisconsin on the road in the midst of a struggle is really, really impressive. The sky is the limit for the Buckeyes and the Terps look to have caught the ‘Young Bucks’ at the wrong time. Ohio State will come in very confident and take care of an improving, potential bowl team in Maryland.

I predict that Curtis Samuel will have an awesome game as starting punt returner, and will accumulate 150+ total yards. Malik Hooker will have another pick, and Nick Bosa will have a good game.

Also look for true freshman WR Binjimen Victor to see the field a lot. I think this is one that Buckeye Nation will enjoy watching.

FINAL: Ohio State 45, Maryland 10

Charlie Lockhart:  I think this will be a very interesting game for Ohio State. Will they continue to have success with their passing game? Will Demario McCall continue to get carries and become that third running back the Buckeyes may need going forward?

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I think the answer is yes to both questions. If I am correct, Ohio State will smoke Maryland. I am going big on this one. Ohio State 59-13 over Maryland.