Ohio State is heading into a relatively easy game against Maryland. The Buckeyes are coming off a massive victory over Iowa. They won 31-14 in a game that was not close in the second half, as their defense was dominant. They threw it to Jeremiah Smith and shut down the run, which is all they needed to do.
That's probably all that the Buckeyes need to do against the Terrapins in order to win that game. However, they will do so while missing several key players, including two starters. Ohio State will actually be missing both tackles in this game, which is not ideal.
Ohio State Buckeyes to be without Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels
According to the Big Ten availability report, the Buckeyes will be without both starting tackles. Daniels hasn't played since Week 2 against Texas. He left that game with a leg injury and hasn't appeared in a game since. However, it's surprising to see Siereveld on the injury report.
Siereveld did not appear on either of the injury reports leading up to the game. Siereveld had no injury of note during this week of practice, so his being out for this game is a surprise. It's unclear who will replace him at right tackle, as he was already playing out of position.
Missing both starting tackles for any game is not ideal, but this is the game to do it. Maryland is one of the worst teams in the Big Ten. Ohio State could likely play all of its backups and win this game. However, this presents problems for next week against Indiana.
Playing at IU is likely the toughest game that the Ohio State Buckeyes will play the rest of the regular season. They need all of their starters healthy for that game if they are going to emerge victorious. Otherwise, they could catch their second loss of the season.
Ohio State will be missing four total starters vs. Maryland
Other than Daniels and Siereveld, the Buckeyes will be missing two other starters. Linebacker Christian Alliegro will be sitting out this game. He has played in every game this season since transferring in. However, he will miss his first game as a Buckeye.
Brandon Inniss will also miss the game. The captain receiver will sit out this game, meaning that the young receivers will have a chance to shine. Brock Boyd and Chris Henry Jr. will likely get meaningful snaps in the first half. Devin McCuin is a game-time decision, so both might play a lot of snaps.
Khary Wilder will also not play in this game. He didn't play a single snap against Iowa, despite not having any notable injury. Ryan Day mentioned he would like to get Wilder on the field this week, but that won't happen now. This would have been a good opportunity to get him snaps.
It's unclear if Legend Bey has done enough to see the field after all of his issues. Ohio State should still win this game, but now there are problems heading into next week against the Hoosiers.
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