Ohio State · Big TenOhio State faces Maryland as a 34.5-point favorite
The 4-1 Buckeyes return from a 31-14 win at Iowa before their Oct. 17 trip to Indiana.
OCT 7, 2026
Ohio State point-spread advantage
Maryland third-down conversion rate
Malik Washington interceptions
01 · The NewsOhio State's Heavy Favorite Test
One week after beating Iowa 31-14, Ohio State hosts Maryland on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 4:15 p.m. ET on BTN as a 34.5-point favorite.
The Buckeyes are 4-1, while Maryland is 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten. The Terrapins have lost three straight by a combined 85 points, including a 54-3 loss to UCLA on Sept. 26 and a 48-23 defeat at Nebraska on Oct. 3.
Maryland’s clearest route to a competitive game runs through its drives. The Terrapins convert 35 percent of their third downs and rank 80th nationally in total offense. Their scoring numbers nearly cancel out, too: Maryland averages 30.4 points per game and allows 30.2.
That puts pressure on quarterback Malik Washington, who has thrown seven touchdown passes against six interceptions. Ohio State’s defense just held Iowa to 14 points, and it should have chances to pressure Washington into obvious passing situations and attack the turnovers. Maryland has received two sacks from Zion Elee, one of its few bright spots on defense.
Chris Durr Jr. gives Maryland a productive target, with 42 catches for 461 yards and four touchdowns. Iverson Howard and Dejuan Williams have split the backfield workload. Ohio State’s defense will need to keep Durr from extending drives while Washington avoids the mistake that turns a manageable possession into a short field.
The records reflect a wider gap between the programs. Ohio State went 12-2 and 9-0 in the Big Ten in 2025; Maryland finished 4-8 and 1-8 in conference play. The Buckeyes now get the kind of game a playoff contender is expected to control.
For Washington, the assignment is simple and severe: sustain third-down drives against the defense that just limited Iowa, then protect the ball.
02 · The StakesThe Résumé Test
Ohio State has to handle the heavy favorite’s assignment without damaging its playoff positioning before the Oct. 17 trip to Indiana. Josh Pate’s preseason bracket put the Buckeyes at No. 2, so a convincing win would protect that standing while a slip would be costly.
“The Buckeyes now get the kind of game a playoff contender is expected to control.”
From the story03 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Can Maryland stay on schedule?
Watch the Terrapins’ third-down offense: Maryland converts 35 percent of its third downs, and sustaining drives is its clearest route to a competitive game.
Does Malik Washington protect the ball?
Washington has thrown six interceptions against seven touchdown passes, and a mistake could turn a manageable possession into a short field.