THREE KEYS TO OHIO STATE-MARYLAND GAME
Protect the pocket
Ohio State’s offensive line kept a clean pocket for quarterback C.J. Stroud in his return at Rutgers. He rarely faced pressure and was not sacked. It left Stroud to look as comfortable as he’s been all season, taking a major step forward in his development. Maryland could pose problems. Its 18 sacks are tied with Michigan State for the most in the Big Ten, and the Terrapins are led by defensive end Sam Okuayinonu, the league’s sack leader along with Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson and Minnesota’s Boye Mafe. The Buckeyes will need to keep picking up pass rushers.
Turn to Treveyon Henderson
Ryan Day envisions freshman running back Treveyon Henderson seeing 20 carries on a per-game basis. It hasn’t happened in recent weeks as the Buckeyes won in a lopsided fashion, leading them to empty the bench. But Henderson should be needed against Maryland, which largely contained Iowa’s Tyler Goodson, one of the better backs in the Big Ten, despite last week’s drubbing by the Hawkeyes. The Terrapins are in the middle of the pack in rush defense in the conference.
Fight complacency
The Buckeyes should feel good about the progress they’ve made on both sides of the ball in recent weeks. Last Saturday’s win over Rutgers was their most complete performance this season. But they shouldn’t puff out their chests too much or look ahead to the rest of their October slate, which includes an anticipated matchup against Penn State on Halloween weekend. Ohio State is too young and too inexperienced to overlook anyone on its league schedule.
Key matchup
Ohio State defense vs. Taulia Tagovailoa Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa had a better September than just about any passer in the Big Ten. Then he had a rough start to this month, throwing five interceptions as the Terrapins suffered their first loss of the season against Iowa. If Tagovailoa, the younger brother of former Alabama and current Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, can shake off the uncharacteristic performance, he could make the Buckeyes vulnerable. But Ohio State’s defense has also made strides, especially when it comes to forcing turnovers. It’s picked off seven passes in the last three games and returned three of them for touchdowns.
Key Stat
1-41: Maryland’s record against ranked teams since joining the Big Ten, the sole win coming over then-ninth-ranked Texas in its 2018 season opener.