Ohio State Hosts Maryland Amid Three Game Losing Streak

No. 5 Ohio State welcomes Maryland to Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, October 10, 2026, seeking another Big Ten victory while the Terrapins attempt to stop a three-game losing streak. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET, with the game airing nationally on Big Ten Network.

According to previews published by The Columbus Dispatch, Land-Grant Holy Land and other outlets, Ohio State enters the matchup at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play. Maryland is 2-3 after consecutive victories over Hampton and UConn were followed by losses to Virginia Tech, UCLA and Nebraska.

Maryland's three defeats have produced a combined 137-52 score, including 137 points allowed. The Terrapins have surrendered at least 35 points to three consecutive unranked opponents, while turnovers and special-teams mistakes have compounded their defensive struggles.

According to Testudo Times, Maryland committed seven turnovers during that stretch, including three interceptions returned for touchdowns, contributing to 31 points for its opponents. Against Nebraska, a blocked punt also gave the opposition possession in the red zone, and the Terrapins committed 12 penalties for 115 yards in a 48-23 defeat.

Ohio State, meanwhile, has recovered from a narrow 24-23 loss to Texas by outscoring its next three opponents 136-36. Land-Grant Holy Land reported that the Buckeyes defeated Iowa 31-14 on October 3, improving their October record under head coach Ryan Day to 23-1.

Day cautioned his players against underestimating Maryland despite the contrasting records.

"I mean, this is a dangerous team that has some really good players and good coaches, so we've got to take the next step," Day said of the Terrapins, according to 247Sports.

Ohio State has won all nine previous meetings between the programs since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014. The Buckeyes have scored at least 37 points in every matchup, while Day's teams have outscored Maryland 219-78 across four meetings since he became head coach in 2019.

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is a central figure in Ohio State's passing attack. According to Testudo Times, the junior entered the game with 44 receptions for 823 yards and nine touchdowns, leading the nation in catches. His performance against Iowa included 11 receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns, according to Land-Grant Holy Land.

Quarterback Julian Sayin has also helped drive the offense, averaging 306 passing yards per game with 13 touchdowns entering the matchup, according to Testudo Times. Ohio State's passing offense averages 357 yards per game, ranking second nationally in the same report.

Maryland's defense faces a significant challenge against that production, although Ohio State has shown vulnerability on third downs. The Buckeyes have allowed opponents to convert 38% of their third-down attempts, while Maryland managed just two conversions on 29 attempts across its previous two games.

The Buckeyes also reported several players as questionable ahead of kickoff. According to The Columbus Dispatch, linebacker Christian Alliegro, nickel back Jay Timmons, wide receivers Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin, and right tackle Phillip Daniels were among the starters whose availability was uncertain.

Alliegro had recorded 20 tackles in five appearances, while McCuin had 17 receptions for 245 yards and two touchdowns. Timmons missed the Iowa game after leaving the previous contest against Illinois in the third quarter.

Ohio State's defensive back Jaylen McClain has contributed 20 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions this season, according to Testudo Times. The Buckeyes will look to maintain their defensive form against a Maryland offense that struggled to sustain its early production against Nebraska.

The game is part of Ohio State's homecoming weekend in Columbus and precedes a demanding stretch featuring road games against Indiana and USC later in October, according to Land-Grant Holy Land.