Ohio State Football: Three takeaways from Maryland win

On a wild day of college football, the Ohio State football team cruised to victory in their 66-17 thrashing of Maryland in Week 6 of play. The Buckeyes once again looked extremely explosive and consistent on the offensive end while the defense continued to hold strong. The game perhaps got even more out of hand for Maryland due to some past drama concerning the former Buckeye Chase Young.

Once again, OSU proved a point that none of their season goals are out of reach. They control their own destiny and still have championship aspirations. This powerhouse program led by Ryan Day is starting to look like their usual self and will look to get healthy in their upcoming bye week.

While there was plenty to be happy about in the Bucks’ 66-17 win, here are three areas that particularly stood out.

1. OSU’s three-headed monster at wide receiver

We know how loaded the Ohio State receiving room is thanks to outstanding recruiting and Brian Hartline’s (the OSU Wide Receiver Coach) expertise as a former NFL wideout. Without a doubt, both Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson were going to get their’s this season and that is happening.

Offseason hype surrounded the slot receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, some expected him to breakout. It is now safe to say Smith-Njigba is another stud that has the chance to be a first-round draft pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Texas product is coming into his own and dominating on nearly the same level as the star wideouts Wilson and Olave.

C.J. Stroud shined with 406 passing yards and five touchdowns versus Maryland as nearly every throw was perfectly placed. The Buckeye QB was also rated by PFF as one of this week’s top quarterbacks in the nation.

The three-head monster receiving unit made up of Olave, Wilson, and Smith-Njigba certainly deserves a lot of credit for Stroud’s success. What they are doing is rare and mostly unheard of in college football. On any given down, these guys are open by nearly five yards over and over again. That was clearly seen by their sick stat line against Maryland.

These three wideouts are starting to draw some remarkable praise. As mentioned, everyone knew Olave and Wilson were a problem, but those outside of Columbus were not expecting Smith-Njigba to be this good already.

Now we are hearing national analysts compare this receiving core to LSU’s group in 2019 that included Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Terrence Marshal. This is not too outlandish considering the stats OSU’s receivers will have and all three could be first-rounders, just like LSU.

The Maryland game showed once again how special and unguardable these three OSU receivers are.