Ohio State Football: 4th and Short, top player, Maryland game and more

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Rocky Lombardi #12 of the Michigan State Spartans lays on the ground as the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate a fourth quarter fumble recovery for a touchdown at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

COLLEGE PARK, MD – OCTOBER 27: Anthony McFarland #5 of the Maryland Terrapins runs past Del’Shawn Phillips #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Capital One Field on October 27, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Q: Does Maryland scare you more, less, or as much as Purdue did coming into the game?

A: This week’s matchup against Maryland is slightly different from Purdue. This game is not at night nor is it in a hostile environment where the Buckeyes historically struggle to play.

However, the game against Maryland does contain the potential for the “sandwich effect.”

The “sandwich effect” is when the game in between two ranked/worthy opponents can be labeled as a trap game. Ohio State had Michigan State last week and then has Michigan next week, so some may think Maryland may be another potential hiccup for Ohio State.

I do not believe so, although if the Buckeyes don’t win the game by 30 points, do not be alarmed. The goal for this week should be to win, improve on the areas of need, and to stay healthy before The Game.

Home/Ohio State Football