The Maryland Terrapins are back home after getting pummeled in consecutive weeks by Wisconsin and Penn State. This week’s matchup is the toughest of the season against the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes, a team ranked No. 2 in the country.
The Terps have QB Taulia Tagovailoa back as the starter after he suffered an MCL sprain against Indiana five weeks ago, but he hasn’t shown the mobility we are used to seeing from him and that was part of the issue in the shutout thumping by Penn State last week .
As expected, the 6-4 Terps are huge underdogs at 26 points against the 10-0 Ohio State Buckeyes. This is a game that would take a miracle for Maryland to win, but some would point to how Maryland almost got the win against Michigan on the road.
Red shirt freshman Billy Edwards Jr. entered last week’s game late and he will be Tagovailoa’s backup again today. Edwards was a transfer from Wake Forest and grew up nearby in Fairfax, Virginia.
Maryland was looking for national respectability and became bowl eligible getting that sixth win against Northwestern last month. Bowl eligibility counts for a lot, but the Terps want to also get a Top-25 national ranking and accomplishing both and getting into a premiere bowl game is a goal for this program. That is how you grow as a team and Head Coach Mike Locksley has done a great job at bringing in some top recruits. But more wins and national exposure helps.
The Terps have to continue to get their talented RB Roman Hemby, the ball and establish a running game as Ohio State will be coming after Tagavailoa in obvious passing downs. Big back Antwain Littleton II, will continue to get those tough yard carries. Of course it is the talented receivers Rakim Jarrett and Dontay Demas who must also step up and make some big plays.
The Terps defense continued to give up too many big plays last week and it is the secondary who must control the game and come up with some big turnovers.
Maryland (6-4, 3-4 B1G) vs. Ohio State (10-0, 7-0 B1G)
When: Sat., Nov. 19 | 3:30 PM EST
Where: SECU Stadium, College Park, Maryland
TV: ABC Network
Radio: 105.7 FM (Baltimore) / 980 AM (DC) — Johnny Holliday, Steve Suter
Vegas odds: have Maryland at +26 as the underdogs, and the Over/Under is 63 points.
