Ohio State football: Fans should be sad over cancellation

As we know, the game today is canceled. But that doesn’t stop Ohio State fans like myself from feeling sad that there will be no Buckeye football on today.

COLUMBUS, OH- The Buckeyes will have an extra week to prepare for their matchup against Indiana as it was announced that the Ohio State-Maryland game this Saturday has been cancelled due to rising COVID-19 cases on Maryland’s campus. According to the school, eight players have tested positive in the last seven days and need to be quarantined.

This decision was made by the Terrapins athletic director Damon Evans and the university’s president Darryll Pines. This is the third game that has been canceled so far this season in the Big 10 due to COVID-19. Those came with the Wisconsin Badgers who were unable to play against Nebraska and Purdue.

As much as every college football and Ohio State fan would love to see the Buckeyes possibly pick up Alabama, the possibility of that is at least 1000 to one in the odds department as both conferences would not be a fan of playing outside the conference only games, even if it’s for one week. The Buckeyes could have tried to schedule a possible game against an FCS opponent, but knowing the Big Ten’s strict guidelines this season, that did not happen either.

It truly is a bummer that this game won’t be played. It’s not just that the Buckeyes could have used a good tune-up before facing Indiana, but it gives us something to look forward to every Saturday. Now us fans will have to wait another full week to watch them play.

The Matchup that was to be

Maryland was going to come into this game with a record of two and one.  Their two wins were an overtime victory against Minnesota and an upset 35-19 win against Penn State.  Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, the brother of Alabama’s quarterback Tua, has thrown for 770 yards and six touchdowns along with two touchdowns. Running back Jake Funk has 43 attempts for 336 yards and two touchdowns.

If they are able to play, they will host the Michigan State Spartans (1-2) next week.

Ohio State’s record is 3-0 and ranks third in the country.  Their wins have been against Nebraska, Penn State, and Rutgers. Heisman contender future NFL quarterback  Justin Fields and has thrown for 908 yards and 11 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 86.7.

Fields has also rushed for 57 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Master Teague III has had 47 rushing attempts, 211 yards, and four touchdowns. Trey Sermon has not had a rushing touchdown yet but does have 172 yards on the ground.

Their total defense ranks 31st but that can be due to the delayed start of the season. Their next game if possible is against the undefeated 10th ranked Indiana Hoosiers (3-0).