Joel Klatt evaluates if Ohio State should be on upset alert vs. Maryland

Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt evaluated if No. 4 Ohio State should be on upset alert with Maryland coming to town this week.

The starts with Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and his ability to put up major numbers on offense. But the problem is, Maryland goes to the Horseshoe this year.

Klatt favors Ohio State to remain undefeated, but the undefeated Terps shouldn’t be overlooked.

“I mean that’s interesting because Maryland does throw the ball really well,” Klatt said on The Herd. “Taulia is one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten if not the country and just no one talks about it …  He’s also comfortable there with Coach Locksley. Their relationship goes all the way back to the Bama days … And it’s a little bit of a band back together type of deal.” 

Ohio State entering upset alert vs. Maryland?

Klatt was asked by host Colin Cowherd if Maryland can compete this weekend against the Buckeyes.

“Yes, they can,” Klatt said. “Now they have traditionally and this is obvious, been better against Ohio State when they’re at home and not as good in the shoe, but this team can throw the ball. This is one of the areas where I would say there’s a question about Ohio State. They have been good defensively up to this point, in particular, when you’re talking about not giving up the big play. They have yet to give up a play of over 40 yards.

“In last year’s Michigan and Georgia game alone, those two, they gave up eight plays of 40 yards. So they’re getting better in that area which was a big area of need, but they haven’t been stressed in particular with a great passing game that can be explosive.” 

In five games this season, Tagovailoa has 1,464 yards, 13 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 65.7% completion percentage. There’s no question he can potentially put up big numbers against Ohio State.

“Taulia has thrown for over 300 yards per game, he doesn’t turn it over, he’s thrown for a lot of touchdowns, so this is a game where you’re going to really see is Ohio State better on defense,” Klatt said.

“Do they have a defense they can go and compete with Penn State or Michigan or even in the playoff and win because that’s really where they needed to, I would say get better from a year ago.”

Maryland and Ohio State square off Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET in Columbus.