After coming off a big time win against Michigan State, Ohio State will get one last tune up game against Maryland before playing That Team Up North. Ohio State has improved in both games after the Purdue game and bye week. Neither game has been perfect, but to be able to find ways to keep improving and finding ways to win in November is fantastic news. Ohio State introduced the Tate Martell redzone package last week, and it worked flawlessly, until Michael Jordan had a bad snap and the Buckeyes turned the ball over. Ohio State is finding new ways to run the ball, the defense is playing much better, especially at the safety position. Brendon White seems to be the spark this defense needed, and everyone is playing much better. Still some missed tackles, but if the defense continues to show improvement, they will be scary good. To me though, the biggest takeaway the last two weeks is the fire. To ice Nebraska, JK Dobbins demanded the ball and plowed his way for first downs, and would be screaming the whole time. Last week, Dwayne Haskins ran the ball and lowered his shoulder, and trucked a MSU player for the first down, however it was called back due to a penalty. Yes, same Haskins who had 15 yards of grass in front of him, and he slide after 1 yard. This team all year, seemed to be missing leadership. Seemed to be missing the drive to win. But they have found it. That will to win is here, and it could not have come at a better time.
Maryland has been an up and down team all year. The first game of the season they were able to beat the Texas Longhorns. Then dominated Bowling Green, but end up getting dominated by Temple the following week. And that has been there season in a nut shell. They are coming off back to back loses against Michigan State and Indiana going into the Ohio State game. Maryland, however, will not be at full strength against the buckeyes, as QB Kasim Hill is out for the season with a torn ACL bringing in Tyrrell Pigrome who brought Maryland back from 31-15 at Indiana before ultimately losing 32-34.
Maryland is holding teams to 25.4 points per game while Ohio State is scoring 40.6 points per game. Ohio State is holding teams to 22 points per game while Maryland is scoring 28.8 points per game. Maryland is holding teams to 4 yards a carry and 6.6 yards per pass. Ohio State is averaging 4.3 yards per carry and 8.6 yards per pass. Maryland is ranked number 1 in redzone scoring. While Ohio State is ranked 119 at 73 percent. This is where Ohio State needs to improve the most. The Tate Martell package was a great improvement, and will need to get better.
Urban Meyer is 4-0 against Maryland. 2015 was the closest Maryland ever got to winning, and the score was 49-28, Buckeyes. 2016 and 2017 the Buckeyes have won 62-3 and 62-14 respectively. I believe this will be a 3 quarter game, and a perfect tune up game for That Team Up North. I am saying 62-17, Buckeyes. O-H!
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