Ohio State is rolling into Week 6 as a staggering 34.5-point favorite over Maryland, and honestly, after that historic beatdown they put on Iowa last week, does anyone really have to ask why? This isn’t just another game for Ryan Day’s squad; it’s a statement, especially with what they did to the Hawkeyes in Week 5.
Ohio State Is Putting Up Historic Wins Thanks To Jeremiah Smith
Let’s talk about that Iowa game for a second. The Buckeyes throttled the Hawkeyes 31-14, and that 17-point road victory tied the largest win by any away team at Kinnick Stadium since 2013. Only Purdue in 2021 managed something similar. But the real story, the one that’s going to echo through the record books, is Jeremiah Smith. This dude is a certified legend already, holding the Triple Crown for Ohio State, sitting as the program’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Against Iowa, he put on a clinic: 11 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns. And get this, that was his second straight game with over 200 receiving yards. Quarterback Julian Sayin is looking sharp, too, with just under 700 yards and eight total touchdowns, definitely helped by Smith’s heroics. Even the run game is starting to click, with Bo Jackson and Ja’Kobi Jackson combining for 142 yards at a solid 4.7 yards per carry against Iowa.
Maryland’s Defense Is a Problem and Ohio State’s Is Locking In
While the offense is firing on all cylinders, Matt Patricia’s Ohio State defense had a bit of a rollercoaster start against Iowa. They snagged a sack fumble on the third play of the game, which was huge, but then allowed points on the next two Iowa drives. Talk about a gut check. But they locked in hard after that, forcing punts on the next four Iowa possessions and snagging an interception on the fifth. They absolutely suffocated the Hawkeyes’ run game, holding them to just 39 yards on 1.9 yards per carry. So, what about Maryland? Well, they’re coming off three straight losses and are, frankly, not a great team overall. Quarterback Malik Washington is excellent, throwing for nearly 1,300 yards and seven touchdowns, but he’s prone to turnovers with six interceptions already this year. His top target, Chris Durr Jr., is a beast with 461 yards and five touchdowns on 42 catches. The real struggle for the Terps is their defense. They’ve given up a combined 102 points in their last two games against UCLA and Nebraska, ranking 116th nationally by allowing 30.2 points per game. They do have some bright spots, though, with Derrick LeBlanc and DD Holmes combining for five sacks, and Messiah Delhomme grabbing two interceptions.
This Week 6 matchup looks like a perfect chance for Ohio State to keep their momentum rolling at home in Columbus before they hit a brutal three-game gauntlet against Indiana, USC, and Oregon. Maryland likely won’t pull off the upset, but their excellent quarterback and a few defensive standouts could still test some of Ohio State’s potential weak spots.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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