'A Good Gauge!' Maryland Terrapins Using Ohio State Buckeyes Matchup to Measure Program

The Maryland Terrapins arrive in Columbus on Saturday looking for confirmation that they deserve to be mentioned with the ranked teams in college football. That's because they're not getting it anywhere else.

Timm Hamm | Oct 7, 2023

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Ohio State Buckeyes

Despite the fact the Terrapins are undefeated and have beaten each opponent this season by 18 or more points, they remain unranked. They're hoping that changes on Saturday at the Horseshoe.

“I think that’s what people are starting to see, that our team is competing at a really high level,” Locksley said. “Now, this week is a good gauge. It’s a hell of an opportunity, but even a better gauge as to where we really are as a program, and our players have embraced it. As a staff, we’ve embraced it. It’s a great test, and we’ll see how we do Saturday.”

Two weeks ago, Maryland played spoiler to the Michigan State Spartans homecoming with a 31-9 road win. On Saturday, the Terrapins hope to do the same against the Buckeyes.

Ohio State vs. Maryland / USA Today Sports

That goal - although admirable - seems unlikely. In eight previous meetings, Ohio State is 8-0 while scoring 40-plus points in each contest, including hitting 60 points twice. Those matchups all came after Maryland bolted from the ACC for the Big Ten in 2014.

But Maryland has come close on two separate occasions. Last season, the Terrapins held a halftime lead and were within one score with just 10 minutes to play before the Ohio State defense sealed the deal with a fumble recovery late. And in 2018 the Terps were unsuccessful on a two-point conversion attempt in overtime for a 52-51 Buckeyes win.

Both of those were in College Park, and Maryland's trips to the Horseshoe have not been pleasant. The last two contests in Columbus saw the Buckeyes score 66 and 73 points.

Published Oct 7, 2023

TIMM HAMM