COLUMBUS, Ohio – As lethargic and out of sync as its offense was for most of the first half, No. 4 Ohio State didn’t panic. Not when Maryland led 10-0. Not when Maryland scored to start the second half to go up 17-10.

From there, the passing game got in rhythm. Quarterback Kyle McCord started completing passes to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Cade Stover, and Maryland (5-1) was out of luck. And Ohio State (5-0) won 37-17 going away.

The defense continued to shine and scored the Buckeyes’ first points on Josh Proctor’s 24-yard interception return.

Player of the Week: Marvin Harrison Jr.

This could be McCord (career-high 320 passing yards) or Josh Proctor (7 tackles, aforementioned pick-6) or Tommy Eichenberg (13 tackles). But for game-changing production, wow factor and just because he’s the best at what he does, give it to the man everyone in Columbus simply calls Marv.

His numbers: 8 catches, 163 yards, 35 yards after the catch, 17-yard TD catch. His 10th 100-yard game ties him for third on the OSU list with Michael Jenkins and Garrett Wilson.

Biggest surprise: No TreVeyon Henderson

Henderson surprisingly appeared on the unavailable list Saturday morning. He warmed up and looked able to play. After the game, head coach Ryan Day said Henderson could have played. However, whatever the unknown minor injury was, Day said he decided not to push it with so many games left.

After the injury issues Henderson had last year, it’s not surprising Day would be cautious with his best running back.

Biggest concern: Running game

It’s not the running back talent. It’s the offensive line’s lack of ability to play smashmouth. It didn’t help that Henderson didn’t play, but 62 yards on 33 carries won’t cut it going forward.

Chip Trayanum started and gained 61 yards on 20 carries. Three yards a carry is not lead-back stuff. Sooner or later a big rushing game will be needed.

Developing trend: Scoring against OSU is difficult

Maryland’s 17 points are the most the Buckeyes have allowed this season. Those points pushed up the average the Bucks are allowing to 10 a game. Entering the weekend, Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State were 1-2-3 in the nation in scoring defense.

That might be a little insight into what the games between those three will look like.

Key stat: Kyle McCord’s 2nd-half passing numbers

After an 8-of-15 first half and 126 yards (carried by a 58-yarder to Harrison that set up a field goal), McCord was 11-of-14 in the second half for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns. He led 3 touchdown drives and 2 others that ended with field goals.

First impressions about Week 7

Purdue is 2-4. The Boilermakers shouldn’t be anything for the Buckeyes to be afraid of. The men of West Lafayette have wins over 1-5 Virginia Tech and 2-4 Illinois. The Buckeyes opened as a 21.5-point favorite.

The Peacock streaming service might set a record for new subscribers this week. No matter how lopsided many think it will be, people will want to watch. And Purdue’s defense might allow the Buckeyes to finally get off to a high-scoring start.