Why 2023's timing of the Maryland game could benefit Ohio State

Ohio State’s schedule looks a little different this season and Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook believes it will benefit the Buckeyes. On Thursday, Holbrook explained how OSU’s early-season matchup with Maryland will boost the Buckeyes in the long run.

“[Ohio State] had to go to Maryland last year on a cold windy day the week before it hosted Michigan. That’s not happening this year,” Holbrook told On3’s Andy Staples. “Ohio State has a lot of confidence after beating Notre Dame. Meanwhile, I don’t want to alarm anybody, but Michigan plays at Penn State, at Maryland, home against Ohio State.

“I don’t know if Maryland is going to pick off this Ohio State team. I don’t know if they’re going to pick off Penn State. But there’s no reason to think that they can’t put a scare into Michigan the week before the Wolverines host Ohio State.”

Ohio State’s schedule certainly didn’t do them any favors last season. Just a week before hosting Michigan, the Buckeyes marched into Maryland, squeezing out a grueling 43-30 victory. With little time to rest, the Wolverines smelled blood and pounced on it.

In the final game of the regular season, Michigan dominated Ohio State in a 45-23 blowout victory. This season, it will be the Wolverines’ turn to take on the Terrapins ahead of the Buckeyes. Worse, Maryland looks fantastic, boasting a 5-0 record.

Ohio State owns history

“There’s gonna be some excitement there. The Terps are the best they’ve been since 2001,” Holbrook said. “But, when you look at the stats and Ryan Day at home against Mike Locksley and just Ohio State at home against Maryland, in general, since that 2014 inaugural matchup, like you’re not really talking about a game that’s been competitive.

“I think Maryland can be more competitive in this game, but to think that there’s an upset brewing in Columbus this year, I just can’t get myself to believe that.”

History certainly isn’t on Maryland’s side. OSU is 8-0 against the Terrapins, with an average win margin of 34.75 points per contest. Ohio State has been even more dominant with Day at the helm. Since Day took over the program, the Buckeyes are averaging 69.5 points per game against the Terps at home.

Despite OSU’s dominant record against Maryland, Day isn’t allowing his team to overlook the Terrapins.

“If we are going to win this weekend against Maryland, we have to play better, we have to coach better,” Day said.

On Saturday, the two teams will face off at noon ET. The game will be broadcast on FOX.