Tale of the Tape: Maryland

Are the Buckeyes suddenly a passing team now? You have to go back to 2010 for the last year that Ohio State averaged more passing yards per game than rushing yards per game (228.5 Pass - 220.1 Rush). Okay, it is a long season and things can change certainly, but at this point of the year, Ohio State is averaging almost 83 more yards in the air than on the ground. Teams are daring Ohio State to throw the ball and short of the Oklahoma game, Ohio State has been up to the challenge. Time will tell when the Buckeyes face the likes of Penn State and Michigan if that trend will hold, but it is an encouraging sign and this could be the first year ever that Ohio State will average 300-yards or more passing for an entire season, eclipsing the record of 298 YPG over a season in 1998. All big picture thinking aside, nobody has more passing TDs in the Big Ten than J.T. Barrett (13) and the Ohio State signal caller is 3rd in passing yards per game and 3rd in total offense in the league. None of Ohio State's wide receivers are ranked in the top-10 in terms of receptions per game but that just goes to show how much Ohio State is spreading the ball around (if you look at things from a glass half full standpoint) or that Ohio State does not have a number one receivers (if you look from a glass half empty standpoint). Parris Campbell is 6th in the league in receiving yards per game with 68.4 YPG. A couple of long touchdowns help that average. One player that does not get talked about much is tight end Marcus Baugh. Urban Meyer has singled him out over the last two weeks as 'finally getting it' and about how everything is starting to come together for Baugh. More solid play from Baugh along with an emerging Rashod Berry at tight end will go a long way for the Ohio State offensive fortunes.

The Maryland secondary has had some good games and some not-so-good games so far through 2017. Texas lit up the unit to the tune of 375 yards on 34-52 passing in a game where the Longhorns really only could pass the ball. Maryland would hold UCF in check through the air with a 18-30 day for 178 yards and just one score, but Maryland ended up losing that game by a wide margin. Last week it was a mixed bag with Minnesota throwing for 230 yards and a score on 50-percent passing but the Maryland secondary did pick off two key passes in a road upset win. Maryland's corners have good size with all three starters (Maryland employs the -OR- at one position) checking in at 6-foot or taller. Darnell Savage at safety has been around for a while and has played in big games before and won't be intimidated by the bright lights of this game. This unit certainly will not be the best that Ohio State has or will face and conversely is not going to be the worst unit that Ohio State will face in 2017. This unit does enough things well that it will keep the Buckeyes honest but there should be some chances to exploit them with three of the five starters having played in five or less games in their career. EDGE: Ohio State