COLUMBUS — Ohio State returns home Saturday for what should be its most manageable game for quite a while.

The No. 5 Buckeyes host Maryland at 4:15 p.m. ET at Ohio Stadium, entering the game at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten after last week’s 31-14 win at No. 14 Iowa. Maryland comes to Columbus at 2-3 and 0-2 in conference play.

Ohio State is favored by nearly five touchdowns, and there is a reason for that.

The Buckeyes are simply more talented across the board, while Maryland has dropped three straight games as pressure continues to mount on head coach Mike Locksley. Ohio State has also won all nine previous meetings between the programs, including a 37-17 victory the last time the Terrapins visited Columbus in 2023.

That does not mean Saturday is meaningless.

With Indiana, USC, Oregon, Nebraska, and Michigan still waiting later in the season, this is one of the final opportunities for Ohio State to continue developing depth without every mistake threatening to swing the outcome.

Players to Watch

• Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd — If McCuin and Inniss cannot play, there should be plenty of work available for both freshmen. Even if the two veterans are cleared, this is still the kind of game where Henry and Boyd could see extended snaps. Henry has already shown the explosiveness that made him one of the most coveted receivers in his class, while Boyd has quietly worked his way into the rotation. Ryan Day said this week that both freshmen are playing with confidence and believes their opportunities in the passing game are coming. Saturday would be a pretty good time for that process to accelerate.

• Ja’Kobi Jackson — Jackson may have taken his biggest step toward the RB1 job last week at Iowa. He ran for 72 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, repeatedly finding the difficult yards that Ohio State needed against a physical defense. Bo Jackson remains the more explosive home-run threat, but Ja’Kobi has begun to establish himself as the back capable of running through contact and keeping the offense on schedule. If he continues to run angry and move piles, he can make Bo even more dangerous. Ja’Kobi provides the thunder. Bo provides the lightning. That combination could become one of Ohio State’s biggest weapons down the stretch.

• James Smith — The Alabama transfer has had a relatively quiet start to his first season at Ohio State. Smith has recorded six tackles through five games while rotating heavily on the interior, including 26 snaps last week at Iowa. There have been positive moments, but Ohio State is still waiting for somebody to consistently emerge at defensive tackle. Eddrick Houston took an encouraging step against Iowa, and Smith now has an opportunity to do the same. His development inside will be important as Ryan Day, Larry Johnson, and the rest of the staff continue searching for a dependable rotation before the tougher part of the schedule arrives.

Game Information

Notes

• Saturday is Ohio State’s Homecoming game.
• Ohio State is 4-0 against the Terrapins under Ryan Day.
• Saturday will be Day’s 100th game as Ohio State’s head coach.
• The Buckeyes are 29-2 in Big Ten home games under Day.
• McCuin, Inniss, Jay Timmons, and Christian Alliegro are all listed as questionable.
• Former Ohio State All-American Malcolm Jenkins will serve as the honorary Bell Ringer before the game.
• Ohio State has won three straight since its 24-23 loss at Texas.
• Maryland has lost three straight after beginning the season 2-0.

Prediction

There really is not much mystery here.

Maryland has some talent, and Malik Washington is athletic enough at quarterback to create the occasional problem, but Ohio State is simply operating at a different level compared to the Terrapins.

The Buckeyes are coming off their best defensive performance of the season, the offense continues to find new ways to create explosive plays, and this matchup should allow Ohio State to work deeper into the roster than it could against Iowa.

I expect the freshmen receivers to get opportunities. I expect Ja’Kobi Jackson to continue making his case for the lead role at running back. And defensively, this should be a chance for Smith and the rest of the interior rotation to create disruption rather than simply hold their ground.

The Buckeyes should control this game early, pull away quickly, and spend much of the second half getting valuable snaps for players who may become important later in the season.

Ohio State is just that much better.

Ohio State 53, Maryland 3