IOWA CITY, IA – OCTOBER 3: Running back Ja’Kobi Jackson #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs up the field in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on October 3, 2026 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Throughout the year, we will be asking and answering questions about various Ohio State teams, the players, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance.
Well, the Buckeyes survived the Kinnick Stadium test this past Saturday, and on Saturday, Oct. 17, they will face an even bigger test at Memorial Stadium. But before they get to Bloomington, they have to take on the Maryland Terrapins this Saturday. Leading up to OSU’s sixth game of the season, we have a pair of questions, we want to ask Buckeye Nation.
So, in this week’s fan survey, we want to know which Buckeye not named Jeremiah Smith or Julian Sayin you are most confident will be a reliable offensive weapon down the stretch of the season. Then, since the Buckeyes will be back on the field this weekend, we also want you to pick the margin of victory for Saturday’s game.
Take a look at the options below, then vote in the survey at the bottom of the article. On Saturday morning, before the game kicks off, we will share the results, so make sure to check back in with us in a few days. And if you want to explain your rationale or add another option, head down to the comments and break it down.
Question 1: Other than Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, which offensive Buckeye are you most confident will produce down the stretch?
I think at this point, I think it is safe to say that Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith are the most clutch and consistent combination in all of college football. And while I think that they might just be enough for the Buckeyes to achieve their goals, it would be nice if over the final seven games of the regular season and into the College Football Playoff, someone (or someones) else on offense could emerge as another reliable weapon for the Buckeyes.
So, we have put together a list of the six most likely options to step up, and we want to know which one you are most confident that the Buckeyes can count on.
Question 2: What will be the margin of victory in Ohio State vs. Maryland?
The Buckeyes are 34.5-point favorites heading into Saturday’s matchup against the Maryland Terrapins. The gold standard of college football analytics, SP+, projects OSU to win the game 42-12, which is a few points under the bookmakers’ line.
Historically, there has not been much mystery in this series. Ohio State is a perfect 9-0 against Maryland since the Terrapins joined the Big Ten, with five of those victories coming by at least 20 points. The Buckeyes have averaged better than 55 points per game in the series, and the only truly uncomfortable meeting came in 2018, when Ohio State escaped College Park with a 52-51 overtime win.
The teams have not met since 2023, when Maryland actually led 17-10 early in the third quarter before Ohio State scored the game’s final 27 points to win 37-17 in Columbus. Now, Ohio State welcomes the Terps back to the Horseshoe for Homecoming on Saturday, looking to build on its 31-14 road win over Iowa and continue its perfect run against Maryland.
I do have to wonder if Ryan Day still hates Maryland and coach Mike Locksley for their alleged petty involvement in getting Chase Young suspended back in 2019 for borrowing money from a friend to pay for his girlfriend to fly to Pasadena for the 2018 Rose Bowl. Day generally tries not to run up the score whenever possible, but that hasn’t usually been the case with the Turtles.
Below, I’ve got a few options for margins of victory for you to choose from. Will the Buckeyes dominate the worst team remaining on their schedule? Or will they get up and then get the starters out in advance of the following week’s game against Indiana?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in OSU fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailedsurveys.
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