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Don’t look know, but Ohio State is starting to look like Ohio State. Those bad memories of the defense getting chewed up? Over (maybe). The loss to Oregon? In the background. Ohio State dominating both sides of the ball? The last 2 games built a case that we’re seeing it again. With Saturday’s game against Maryland getting closer, here are 5 things OSU fans are looking to see against the Terps.
1) Can OSU follow Iowa’s pick example?
Taulia Tagovailoa is an explosive quarterback. He leads the Big Ten in passing yards and is 2nd in touchdown passes with a dozen, one behind CJ Stroud. But in the Terps’ game against Iowa, Tagovailoa threw 5 interceptions. For an OSU team with 7 picks and 3 pick-6s on the young season, that sounds a lot like an invitation. Granted, Iowa leads the B1G in interceptions. But OSU is tied for 2nd, and all those young DBs have to be licking their chops at the chance for a big day.
2) And can they contain Taulia?
Last year, defending the pass was coordinator Kerry Coombs’s nemesis. Early this season, OSU was getting chewed up against the run. After the move to Matt Barnes as primary play-caller, OSU still gave up over 400 passing yards to Tulsa. It’ll be interesting to see if Maryland’s predilection for turnovers (11, 2nd most in the B1G) or big plays (30 20+yarders, third in the B1G) shows up. Or both could show up, in which case OSU might have one of those 70-40 kind of games.
3) Is TreVeyon good to go?
A minor injury got TreVeyon Henderson a quick hook against Rutgers after just 8 carries. He’s been proclaimed “good to go” this week, and while nobody expects to see him get 25-30 carries against Maryland, Henderson having 10-15 carries and 100-150 yards would be a good sign for the long term success of the Buckeyes offense — and Henderson’s Heisman chances, which are far from zero.
4) Can Jaxson Smith-Njigba keep stepping up?
It’s common knowledge that Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are one of the most dangerous receiver duos in recent memory. But of course, either player is one turned ankle away from missing some time, which has made the emergence of Jaxson Smith-Njigba that much more crucial. His 18 grabs, 349 yards and 3 scores are not far off the pace set by Olave and Wilson. If OSU does get to play 14 or 15 games, Smith-Njigba could give the Buckeyes a third 1,000-yard receiver. That would be impressive.
5) Can the pass rush be more consistent?
Ohio State’s season sack total of 14 isn’t bad (5th in the Big Ten), but when you remember that 9 of those came against Akron, it gets a little less impressive. In 3 games against P5 teams, OSU has just a trio of QB sacks.
Meanwhile, Maryland, despite attempting the second most passes in the conference, has allowed just 6 sacks (tied for second best in the conference). OSU doesn’t have to be one of the best pass-rushing teams in the nation. But picking it up the pace in P5 games would be helpful. Saturday should be an excellent test.
Veteran college writer Joe Cox covers Ohio State and college basketball for Saturday Tradition.