Ohio State puts its standard on the line against Maryland

What Happened

Ohio State hosts 2-3 Maryland on Saturday, Oct. 10, with the 4-1 Buckeyes trying to turn a heavily tilted Big Ten game into a convincing step toward the national championship they are chasing. Ryan Day told his team Maryland “is a really good team with good players and good coaches,” then challenged the Buckeyes to meet Ohio State’s high standard. A comfortable win is expected; mistakes and a lack of improvement will draw the coaches’ attention anyway. Maryland is 0-2 in Big Ten play and has not beaten a ranked conference opponent since joining the league in 2014, carrying an 0-39 record in those games. Josh Pate’s preseason bracket put Ohio State at No. 2 and in the national championship game, so this home date tests that projection before tougher road games at Indiana on Oct. 17 and USC on Oct. 31. Ohio State beat Iowa 31-14 on Oct. 3 after losing by one point at Texas. The Buckeyes need the result.

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