Maryland vs. Ohio State Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will Taulia Tagovailoa, Terrapins Put Up Points?
The Maryland Terrapins are facing the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes this week. Will Taulia Tagovailoa and the Terrapins put up points against the Buckeyes? NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay shares his prediction and pick for Ohio State vs. Maryland.
Matt MacKay - October 2, 2023, 11:06 AM EDT
7 minMaryland vs. Ohio State Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will Taulia Tagovailoa, Terrapins Put Up Points?
After a week of rest, the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes host the undefeated Maryland Terrapins in a Big Ten East head-to-head matchup. The Buckeyes low-scoring, physical win over Notre Dame with a last-second touchdown converted at the goal-line should boost the confidence of every player on Ohio State's roster, especially quarterback Kyle McCord.
Maryland has been stout defensively under head coach Mike Locksley, ranking 16th in points allowed per game. Offensively, quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has been sharp, recording 13 touchdowns and three interceptions, while completing over 65 percent of his pass attempts.
The Terrapins' strength of schedule has not been nearly as challenging as Ohio State's, but they did hang 44 points in a rout of Indiana this past weekend, while the Buckeyes looked sluggish in their 23-3 win over the Hoosiers earlier in the season. It'll be quite a challenge for Locksley's defense to contain the multitude of weapons rostered by the Buckeyes, especially in a hostile environment. Maryland has only played one away game thus far, beating Michigan State 31-9.
Will the Buckeyes continue to roll against the Terps? Or does this have the potential makings of a trap game? NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay shares his prediction and pick for Ohio State vs. Maryland during the Week 6 slate of the 2023 college football season.
Maryland vs. Ohio State Start Time, Where to Watch, Odds
- Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023
- Game Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
Maryland vs. Ohio State Odds
- Spread: Ohio State -18.5 (-110), Maryland +18.5 (-110)
- Total Odds: Under 55.5 (-110), Over 55.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Ohio State (-1300), Maryland (+760)
Maryland vs. Ohio State Injury Report
Ohio State
Probable: WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ankle)
Questionable: N/A
Out: N/A
Maryland
Questionable: N/A
Out: N/A
Maryland vs. Ohio State Prediction
Each of the last five head-to-head matchups between these two Big Ten East opponents has resulted in Ohio State winning outright. Since narrowly escaping a road trip to Maryland with a 52-51 win in 2018, the Buckeyes have been dominant, winning 73-14, 66-17, and 43-30.
The Terps are 3-2 ATS this season and oddsmakers are giving them 18.5 points ATS on the road at Ohio Stadium. Conversely, the Buckeyes are 1-2-1 ATS, barely covering as three-point favorites to push any wagers placed at -3 in favor of Ohio State during their last-second road win over Notre Dame. Normally, the lines are much bigger, like -18.5 this week, which Ohio State tends to struggle covering.
The point total line is set to 55.5 with -110 odds in either direction. Ohio State's offense has scored at least two touchdowns in every game played, relying more on its rushing attack recently. A deep rotation in the backfield will give Maryland issues, as fresh legs and different skill sets are leveraged by Ohio State's head coach, Ryan Day, to keep defenders worn down and guessing.
The point total has gone over in three of Maryland's five games, compared to once in four games for the Buckeyes. Ohio State's defense has been good but opposing offenses have found success through the air a couple of times, as Youngstown State and Notre Dame completed 65 and 68 percent of pass attempts respectively. Tagovailoa has a strong, accurate arm and the Terps have been putting up points at will, averaging 38.6 per game.
In this matchup, Ohio State will win, but may struggle to cover -18.5. The moneyline odds are absurdly high for the Buckeyes at -1300, while the Terps are +760 on the moneyline at FanDuel Sportsbook. The best wager to make in this matchup is on the point total line. More specifically, betting the over. 55.5 points is not enough with two talented offenses and defenses that are good but not elite. This should cash by the end of the third quarter, maybe early fourth quarter at the latest, so let's place a multi-unit wager on over 55.5 points to be scored in this Big Ten East matchup.
Maryland vs. Ohio State Pick
- Over 55.5 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
College Football Odds
