Ohio State vs. Maryland Preview

Fall is upon us! And winter is coming... Enter the 2-3 Maryland Terrapins into Ohio Stadium for the second game of Big Ten play. Ohio State comes into this game undefeated but with its fair share of issues. This is the point in a season where a team like Ohio State wants to begin clicking on all cylinders and today could be that opportunity. Maryland enters this game on a two game losing streak, West Virginia and Michigan, being outscored 73-6. Throughout this season Maryland has struggled to pick a quarterback and their combined efforts have resulting in 15 interceptions. This week presents an important opportunity for Ohio State to begin the train rolling.

Keys to the Game 

Use Elliot early up the middle

If one thing is clear so far this season for Ohio State's offense, it is that Ezekiel Elliot is still just as good as he was during that National Championship run, maybe better. If this Ohio State offense is going to continue to evolve Urban Meyer, Ed Warriner, and Tim Beck need to realize that the offensive identity is changing. With Cardale Jones at the helm this is no longer an "east-west", run you out of the building offense this is a power run, hard play action team. And you want to know how a power /counter offense runs that best? Give the ball to your Heisman hopeful running back. 25 times. At least.

Make plays on the ball defensively

As mentioned above, the Maryland offense has really struggled this year with turning the ball over. Caleb Rowe has thrown 12 interceptions and 3 lost fumbles himself. Clearly this is a trend that doesn't seem to be going away. Ohio State has had their own issues with throwing interceptions but has one of the best turnover defenses in the country with 6 picks and fumble recoveries with 3 return touchdowns. The opportunities will be present today for takeaways and the Ohio State defense needs to capitalize on those. We are looking at you, Tyvis Powell, there isn't room for any more dropped interceptions this season. Those kind of plays are difference makers deeper in the season.

Use Miller vertically not laterally 

People around Ohio State this season have been wondering when is a deep threat going to present itself? With the '12-gauge' arm of Cardale Jones this offense has been waiting for a player to emerge, similar to Devin Smith, but to no avail. Another issue this offense has had is what to do with Braxton Miller. Miller had his coming out party against Virginia Tech with two long touchdowns but his usage has been relatively predictable beyond that. The evolution on this passing game counts on a deep threat and I believe Braxton can fill that role. Devin Smith caught many of his long TDs (see Michigan State last year) in the slot role, running the seam route between the safety and slot corner. Expect to see Miller used in that role. And when in the backfield expect to see Miller next to Cardale and Elliot running counter plays. But not from the wildcat, expect to see him lined up in a running back position allowing him to get up into the hole quickly.

Players to Watch

Braxton Miller 

See above reasons.

Expectation: 3 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD              3 rushes, 38 yards

Vonn Bell

Every week I select a defensive player I want to take Bosa because he will eventually break out but I dont think that day is today. His double and triple teams take its toll but expect him and Washington to consistently put big pressure on Rowe. Due to the pressure and Rowe's previous play I expect balls to be floated into coverage. That's where Vonn Bell comes in.

Expectation: 7 Tackles, 2 Pass Break ups, 2 Interceptions

Prediction

Ohio State enters this game with an excellent opportunity to gets its offense on track, especially with more potent Big Ten teams on the way. This afternoon could be the perfect storm of opportunistic defense and short fields for this offense to make plays on. Expect to see Elliot take the ball down the field early with Cardale completing some intermediate but routine passes and Ohio State to be up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. The defense will play lock down and eventually take advantage of a poor pass by Rowe in the second quarter for their first of three picks on the afternoon. With a lot of momentum on their side expect to see Cardale finally hit that long ball to Miller, somewhere in the range of 50 yards, for their third TD of the game. Finally Maryland will sneak in a field goal and take a 21-3 deficit into half. Expect two more interceptions from the Ohio State defense in the second half and two more touchdown passes from Cardale. With time running down in the fourth quarter Maryland will eventually put one into the endzone making the score 35-10. Finally, Look for Mike Weber to get his first carries of the season late and actually take off on a 20 yard scamper to complete the rout. 

Final Score: OSU 42 Maryland 10