An interesting Big Ten battle will take place on Saturday when the Ohio State Buckeyes travel to take on the Maryland Terrapins. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET, and this game will be broadcast on ABC.
The Buckeyes can’t afford to get caught looking ahead, as they have a home date with the Michigan Wolverines on deck in the regular-season finale next week. Ohio State is the No. 2 team in the country at 10-0, including 7-0 in conference play, and has an inside track to the College Football Playoff.
Ohio State’s explosive offense has led the way to an undefeated season. Quarterback C.J. Stroud is the Heisman frontrunner, ranking in the top five nationally in five statistical categories and leading college football in both pass efficiency (188.2) and touchdowns (34) entering this weekend.
Yet the Terrapins (6-4, 3-6) have their own talented quarterback, Taulia Tagovailoa, under center. Tagovailoa is second all-time in Maryland history in completions (595), passing yards (7,023) and touchdowns (47). If the Buckeyes get caught looking ahead to next weekend, the Terrapins are certainly capable of making this game somewhat competitive.
Caesars Sportsbook, however, lists Ohio State as a 27.5-point favorite with an over/under of 65.
Let’s take a closer look at the odds and trends:
Ohio State at Maryland
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC
Point spread (from Caesars Sportsbook): Ohio State -27.5
Money line: Ohio State -7000/Maryland +1800
Over/under: 65
Analysis: The last meeting between these teams in College Park produced an instant classic back in 2018. Ohio State secured a 52-51 win in overtime, and the teams combined for over 1,200 yards of total offense.
Both the Buckeyes and Terrapins have the firepower to replicate that showing, but obviously, it is difficult to project that outcome. Ohio State has won all seven of its meetings with Maryland, including last year’s 66-17 home victory. The Buckeyes’ perfect record likely won’t be in jeopardy this weekend.
Yet this four-touchdown spread might prove to be too lofty to cover. Ohio State is just 5-4-1 against the spread this season, falling to cover the number in two of its last three games. OSU is 3-3-1 when laying at least 27.5 points.
Maryland, meanwhile, has not been this big of an underdog yet this season. The Terrapins were getting 17 points in their eventual 34-27 loss to Michigan on Sept. 24. They have not covered in five consecutive contests, but that streak should end on Saturday.
Prediction: Ohio State 45, Maryland 20
