PREDICTIONS: WHO WILL WIN?
Bill Rabinowitz
Ohio State beat writer
The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State 52, Maryland 24
The Terrapins are better than they showed in their disaster against Iowa and they have the playmakers, starting with quarterback Taulia Tagavailoa, to make things interesting. But the Buckeyes are rounding into form and have even more playmakers. Maryland has been undisciplined at times this season, and if that happens against OSU, the floodgates could open. Only once, in 2018, have the Terps been competitive with the Buckeyes. I don’t expect a Rutgers-style blowout, but it should be a comfortable victory for OSU.
Joey Kaufman
Ohio State beat writer
The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State 49, Maryland 21 These teams are headed in opposite directions. The Buckeyes are on the upswing, and Maryland’s hot September start has given way to the harsh realities of the week-to-week conference grind of October. The Terrapins aren’t much threat on the road, either. It’s been more than a decade since they last beat a ranked team away from College Park. Expect Ohio State to continue its groove, especially as
C.J. Stroud becomes more and more comfortable behind center.
Rob Oller
Sports columnist
The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State 43, Maryland 20 Maryland suddenly can’t throw the ball — at least not to the right team. Iowa intercepted the Terrapins six times last week. You don’t think Ohio State’s secondary is salivating over getting a chance to face quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who tossed five of the picks? Expect at least two interceptions from the Buckeyes, which is two more than they’ll need to win this lopsided affair in the Shoe.
Ryan Mcfadden
Maryland beat writer Baltimore Sun
Ohio State 38, Maryland 24
I don’t think Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa will struggle like he did against Iowa last Friday. Losing receiver Dontay Demus Jr. to a seasonending knee injury will impact the Terps, but they still have enough weapons on offense to put points on the board. At the end of the day, Maryland won’t be able to keep up with Ohio State’s offense, which features Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, two of the top receivers in the country.