Ohio State football: What to know about Saturday’s game vs. Maryland

Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

TV/Radio: FOX/1410

Series history: Ohio State leads 6-0 in a series that began in 2014. The Buckeyes are 3-0 against the Terrapins in Columbus.

Last game: Ohio State scored early and often in a 73-14 rout of the Terrapins at Ohio Stadium in 2019. A 42-0 first half included a successful surprise onside kick by the Buckeyes, who played reserves for the entire second half but still outscored the visitors 31-14 in the final 30 minutes.

Coaches: Ohio State’s Ryan Day is 27-3 three seasons, including 17–0 in the Big Ten. Mike Locksley is 10-18 in three seasons at Maryland and 12-44 overall as a head coach.

Ohio State notes: The Buckeyes are averaging 58.3 points per game against Maryland… Ohio State ranks fourth in the nation in points per game (45.0), eighth in passing yards per game (336.2) and No. 1 in total offense (555.6 ypg.).. C.J. Stroud is No. 6 nationally and leads all freshmen in passer rating at 181.8 and he is 10th in TD passes (13)… Stroud also leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (323.3), QB rating and TD passes… Chris Olave caught five passes last week to pass Springfield South grad Dee Miller and move into the top 10 in career receptions at Ohio State. The senior from California has 134… Ohio State has three players from the state of Maryland — linebacker Mitchell Melton (Only), safety Bryson Shaw (Eldersberg) and defensive tackle Taron Vincent (Baltimore)… Ohio State secondary coach Matt Barnes was an assistant at Maryland from 2016-18…2021 is the 100th season of football at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State is 455-113-20 in the Horseshoe.

Maryland notes: Taulia Tagovailoa, a transfer from Alabama, is 13th in the country and second in the Big Ten with 299.4 passing yards per game this season… He is on pace to set the all-time Maryland record for passing yards in a season (Scott Milanovich, 3,499 in 1993)…The Terps rank eighth in the country and second in the Big Ten with 18 sacks (3.6 per game)… Sam Okuayinomu is ninth in the nation with five sacks… Maryland’s leading receiver, Dontay Demus Jr., suffered a season-ending leg injury last week… Maryland has allowed only six sacks this season.

Locksley on Ohio State: “I see a defense that’s improved the last couple fo games here. They’ve got receivers that create explosive plays down the field. Their front seven on defense has done a nice job all season long, and I expect it to be a tough game for us. I’m excited about the opportunity to go on the road and play a good team, to play to the standard we set.”

Next game: The Buckeyes are off next Saturday and return to action at Indiana on Oct. 23. Maryland is also off next week and will play at Minnesota that Saturday.

Prediction: Ohio State 45, Maryland 27