Ohio State Football: Should Buckeyes be concerned about Terrapins?

With the Ohio State football team only defeating Maryland by one point last season, do the Buckeyes have something to worry about with the Terrapins?

Last year was a debacle when the Ohio State football team played Maryland. The small playoff chances the Buckeyes had all but disappeared when they escaped with a narrow one-point victory.

Should the Buckeyes be worrying about the Terrapins going into Saturday?

Maryland brings back the same running back from last year, Anthony McFarland Jr., who scorched Ohio State’s defense for 298 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Ohio State entered as big favorites in last season’s matchup too so, this could end up being a closer game than people think, right?

The short answer is no. I do not think Ohio State has anything to worry about this time around. Both teams are entering this year as completely different teams. Ohio State has a completely different defense this year, possessing the top-rated unit by the SP+ rankings, according to ESPN.

Even without the metrics though, this team is just clearly playing better than last year. There has only been one game this year where the Buckeyes have allowed more than 10 points and that was during week one against Florida Atlantic when a lot of second-stringers allowed those points.

The game against the Terps last year was also a sore spot for many of the defensive players. I guarantee they have been looking at this game to lock down and prove last year was a fluke.

This unit has looked like one with a vendetta this year and I think this will be the most physical game they play all year. This is the same defense that just completely shut down Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor, so they will look to do the same this week against McFarland Jr.

This is also a very different looking Maryland team than the one Ohio State played last year. McFarland Jr. ran for over 1,000 yards last year, averaging 7.9 yards per carry. That is a stark difference from the 438 yards on 4.9 yards per carry he is averaging this year.

The last big key this year is that the game will be played in Columbus. Ohio State will look to jump out early to engage a home crowd and make sure the energy is in the stadium. Having a game against Rutgers the following week also helps make sure that there won’t be any looking ahead.

I can see the first team offense having a huge first half and then taking a seat to let the backups get more reps.

An improved defense, plus a struggling Maryland offense, plus home-field advantage equals a big day for the Buckeyes. Ohio State wins big. My prediction: Ohio State 56, Maryland 7.