Maryland Terrapins: Ohio State is Terps’ First Real Test
The Maryland Terrapins have a Big Ten matchup this Saturday in College Park against the Ohio State Buckeyes. This is a team that will be a tough opponent for them, but the Terps have positive momentum on their side coming into this game, coming off a 37-15 rout of the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington.
Maryland’s offense shined in that game. The strength of it was the passing attack, in which quarterbacks C.J. Brown and Caleb Rowe combined for 361 passing yards and 3 touchdowns in addition to Wide Receivers Stefon Diggs and Deon Long combining for 16 receptions and 220 yards.
Up to this point in the season, the Terps have outscored their opponents 184-99 and have scored 11 more touchdowns than their opponents, with 22 total so far.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are a team that dismantled the Cincinnati Bearcats 50-28 and is ranked 14th in the FBS in points scored with a 42.8 point average. It’s clear that the Buckeyes can score, and Maryland’s defense needs to be on high alert and aggressive right out of the gate.
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They’re going to have to neutralize Ohio State Quarterback J.T. Barrett’s offensive fire power, as Barrett was responsible for 330 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in their last game. So we all know what that means. Maryland’s defense needs to put pressure on him fast to throw off his game. The more they take away Ohio State’s passing attack, the better chance they will have at taking away other parts of the offense.
The front seven for the Terps will be a key factor as well. With players like Keith Bowers and Darius Kilgo in the trenches and Cole Farrand at linebacker playing with intensity, the Terps should have no problems defensively. We can’t forget about the play maker that is William Likely at Cornerback, who has three interceptions on the season and a punt return touchdown as well.
Overall, the Terps have the talent to compete with Ohio State in this game; it should make for a very competitive home opener.