Ohio State’s offense was good in its 45-16 victory over Maryland. Four-touchdown wins are always good. Ohio State came into the game averaging 514.4 total yards per game and 42.2 points per game. They racked up 449 total yards and 45 points in defeating the Terrapins. It was a tale of two halves for the Buckeyes, though. They led 31-10 at the break and had over 200 yards and all four passing touchdowns.
The Buckeyes seemed to ground themselves with turnovers and penalties in the second half. OSU had eight penalties for 65 yards, and Julian Sayin turned the ball over twice. This included a pick-six in the second half that was partly his fault and the fault of the running back who didn’t pick up the defender he was supposed to.
The Jacksons picked things up in the second half. Bo and Ja’Kobi would lead a powerful rushing attack. Ohio State would rush for 207 yards, the most in a game since their season-opening 237 against Ball State.
While they had one of their highs in rushing, they had their low in passing. Their 242 was the lowest of the season, with 278 against Texas being the previous low. It’s concerning that the passing game fizzled out in the second half of both of those two lows.
If the passing game virtually disappears in the second half next week against Indiana, Ohio State will get its second loss of the season. Despite the turnovers, penalties, and lack of a passing game with a 21-point lead, you can’t seriously complain about a 449-yard, 45-point output. Nor is it bad that through six games the offense is averaging 503.5 total yards per game and 42.6 points per game.
If Ohio State comes as close to those averages in their final two games of this month, with both games on the road, they’ll be 7-1 headed into November. Ohio State’s remaining foes are 6-0 Indiana, 5-1 USC, 3-2 Oregon, 4-1 Northwestern, 5-1 Nebraska, and 3-2 UM.
There are no easy games left on this schedule for this offense. The Bucks' biggest opponent to their offense so far has been their own consistency. To get through this final stretch with a record good enough to make the College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes will need to find ways to be consistently good every week.
Offensive Play of the Game
Jeremiah Smith’s one-handed catch that enabled Ohio State to take a 31-10 lead wasn’t a touchdown. Smith had two of those and 93 yards on four catches. This catch was just another reminder that Jeremiah Smith does the impossible and makes it look routine. Smith has 48 catches for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
Offensive Player of the Game
It’s hard to pick anyone other than Jeremiah Smith because when he gets going, the entire offense gets going. That said, this week, I’m going with Bo Jackson. Jackson had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season and the first since beating that team up north last year. Jackson ran hard, getting 107 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. This season, Jackson has 89 carries for 460 yards and four touchdowns.
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