Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Maryland Terrapins Predictions

Following a bye week, the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes will open their eight-straight-conference-game slate with a home matchup against the Maryland Terrapins.

The Ohio State Buckeyes only recently started playing the Maryland Terrapins, as the first-ever matchup came in 2014 after the latter's move to the Big Ten.

Since then Ohio State has throttled Maryland in all but two matchups — one of which came last season in a 43-30 victory that the Buckeyes needed a late defensive touchdown to secure the win.

Will the Terrapins sustain their offensive firepower with quarterback with Taulia Tagovailoa to upset Ohio State?

Here are the BuckeyesNow staff's score predictions for No. 4 Ohio State's Homecoming matchup against Maryland.

Cole Thompson, Staff Writer

Maryland has been this year's surprise team in the Big Ten with a 5-0 start. The Terps have a veteran quarterback in Taulia Tagovailoa, an exceptional run defense and emerging talent at receiver in junior Tai Felton. Ever since last season's loss to the Buckeyes at home, Maryland's been on a run, winning seven straight while outscoring opponents 246-78.

Ohio State wins thanks to home-field advantage, but expect this game to have a similar feel to last season's scare on the road. Maryland is for real, but so are the Buckeyes. 

Ohio State 41, Maryland 30

Casey Smith, Staff Writer

Ohio State has made the Terrapins' trips back to College Park feel even longer with four beatdowns at Ohio Stadium in the series' history. The Buckeyes have averaged 62.5 points per game and won each matchup by an average of 44.3 points.

Coming off a bye week, Ohio State should be firing on all cylinders with a little extra juice from the Lou Holtz fiasco. Send your condolences in the mail addressed to Mike Locksley.

Ohio State 52, Maryland 21

Caleb Spinner, Staff Writer

Ohio State played its best game of the season the last time it took the field at home. I expect the Scarlet and Gray to be at their best on Saturday, coming in off a major victory against then-No. 9 Notre Dame and having had a chance to rejuvenate during their time off for the bye week.

Maryland is a strong team despite their status as an unranked team. The quality of the Terps is only good enough to get them a score or two against the Buckeyes, however, which will most likely come in the first quarter or half.

In short, Ohio State will dominate Maryland, and extend their undefeated record to 5-0 come Saturday evening.

Ohio State 49, Maryland 17

Gaurav Law, Staff Writer

I'm with Cole on this one. Although the Buckeyes are on a roll and have had extra time coming off the bye, the Terps are going to keep it close. Tagovailoa is leading the 29th-ranked offense and ranks 16th himself in total passing yards.

Junior cornerback Jordan Hancock said Wednesday that Tagovailoa is going to make it tough on the Ohio State defense.

"It puts a lot of strain on us because, you know, [Tagovailoa's] an explosive quarterback and he can extend plays, but we’re going to have to plaster in the back end and keep our eyes in the right place,” Hancock said.

Hancock is right — Tagovailoa, who ranks 25th in passer rating (160.3), is going to really test the Buckeyes.

Ohio State 38, Maryland 27