Maryland faces No. 5 Ohio State as 34.5-point underdog

Maryland football enters a hostile road matchup against No. 5 Ohio State, facing a steep 34.5-point underdog spread set by FanDuel. The Terps are mired in a three-game skid that has seen the program concede 137 points—its most since 2021—while the Buckeyes boast a high-flying offense led by standout junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Maryland Defense Struggles And Self-Inflicted Turnovers Fuel Skid

Maryland’s defense was expected to take a significant leap forward this season with a large crop of returning talent and added depth following a lengthy list of injuries in 2025. That has not materialized, as the Terps have allowed three consecutive unranked opponents to score at least 35 points, leading to a pair of blowout defeats. The defensive unit’s struggles are compounded by offensive miscues, including seven turnovers over the last three games—featuring three pick-sixes that resulted in 31 points. During a 48-23 loss, Maryland also committed 12 penalties for 115 yards and surrendered a red-zone score following a blocked punt.

Ohio State Roster Formidably Led By Smith And Sayin

Ohio State enters the contest with a 4-1 overall record and a 2-0 mark in the Big Ten under head coach Ryan Day, coming off a 2025 campaign where it went 12-2. The Buckeyes feature the nation’s second-best passing offense, averaging 357 yards per game. Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith leads the country with 44 catches, 823 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns, having posted 423 yards in just two Big Ten games. Quarterback Julian Sayin ranks fourth nationally with 306 passing yards per game and 13 touchdowns, while junior safety Jaylen McClain has tallied 20 tackles, six pass deflections, and two interceptions while anchoring the secondary.

Terps Confront Long Conference Drought Against Ranked Foes

Maryland has struggled historically against elite conference competition, holding an 0-39 record against ranked Big Ten opponents since joining the conference in 2014. Under head coach Michael Locksley, the Terps are 0-18 in those matchups with an average margin of defeat of 31.9 points. Despite the daunting odds in Columbus, bright spots remain on the roster, such as wide receiver Chris Durr Jr., who is tied for the second-most receptions in the country with 42 and has recorded three games with over 100 receiving yards.

Columbus Kickoff Time Set On Big Ten Network

The matchup between Maryland and Ohio State is scheduled to kick off at 4:15 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio, with a live broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Whether Maryland can sustain its early-game intensity—such as the 203 total yards and 16 points it put up in the first quarter against Nebraska—across a full 60 minutes remains the central question as the team seeks an upset.