Scarlet and Game
Fansided

Ohio State football: Confidence level against Maryland

By Eric Boggs

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Head coaches Michael Locksley of the Maryland Terrapins and Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes shake hands after the game at SECU Stadium on November 19, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Head coaches Michael Locksley of the Maryland Terrapins and Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes shake hands after the game at SECU Stadium on November 19, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
The Ohio State football team might have a new leading rusher on Saturday. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
The Ohio State football team might have a new leading rusher on Saturday. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

The Offense – Confidence Level 7

If Ohio State can bottle up the mojo they had in that game-winning drive against Notre Dame, and disperse it evenly throughout the remainder of the season, then I have got to believe the Buckeyes are trending positively on that side of the ball. Kyle McCord’s confidence is bursting at the seams, which could be a dangerous thing if the young man didn’t have his head screwed on right. Thankfully for Buckeye Nation and this offense, it appears McCord isn’t letting any of the success he has experienced thus far get to his head.

If there is one thing we know about McCord, it is that this kid seems to be as cool as a cucumber. McCord getting a “big head” isn’t something we need to worry about. But as the Ohio State offense continues to put more plays on film, so does the opportunity for defenses to find weaknesses, poor tendencies, and cracks in the foundation that have yet to be exploited.

We all know the biggest weakness on this team was the quarterback and offensive line experience heading into the season. That issue is getting taken care of on its own every single week. There is still a lot of anxiety about the left tackle position, and no doubt Maryland will look to exploit that this Saturday.

This season Ohio State has only given up four total sacks, or one sack per game. Maryland on the other hand coming into Saturday has 13 sacks in five games. It will once again be paramount that the offensive line protects McCord and gives him enough time to exploit the Terrapins secondary, which is the weakest unit in their defense.

Maryland hasn’t faced any high-powered offenses this season, but the Buckeyes aren’t exactly the same offense they were under C.J. Stroud, but they are improving. I’m confident that the Buckeyes will move the football on Saturday. The question for me is whether or not they will be able to punch it in on short-yardage attempts. If they do, they should score plenty enough points to win the game. My offense confidence level is a seven for this week.

Home/Ohio State Football