.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
No. 20 OHIO STATE (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) at MARYLAND (4-1, 1-0), 12 noon ET (ABC)
Line: Ohio State by 7 1/2
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The Buckeyes seek their 17th straight Big Ten victory in their league opener and look to move up in the Top 25 with their third consecutive win. Maryland hopes to stage a winning performance before an expected sellout crown in its inaugural Big Ten home game. It would be a signature win for a program on the upswing.
KEY MATCHUP
Maryland's passing attack against an Ohio State unit that last week surrendered four TDs, including three scores of at least 60 yards in a 50-28 win over Cincinnati. The Terrapins are undecided at quarterback because of starter C.J. Brown's sprained left wrist, but he and Caleb Rowe combined for 361 yards passing and three touchdowns in a rout of Indiana last Saturday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ohio State: QB J.T. Barrett, who got the job when two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year Braxton Miller was lost for the year after shoulder surgery, is coming off two big games in which he is a combined 49 of 66 passing for 642 yards and 10 TDs with one interception. In addition, TB Ezekiel Elliott is coming off a career day with 28 carries for 182 yards and a TD against Cincinnati.
Maryland: Linebacker Cole Farrand had 11 solo tackles and eight assists last week. The total, which included 1 1/2 tackles for a loss, earned him Big Ten defensive player of the week honors. It was the most by a Big Ten player this season and second-most by a FBS player.
FACTS & FIGURES
Ohio State has won its past 16 Big Ten openers ... Maryland has scored a total of 184 points, third-highest total in the Big Ten. ... The Buckeyes tied an NCAA record with 45 first downs against Cincinnati ... Maryland WR Stefon Diggs leads the team in catches (29) and receiving yards (398). His seven career 100-yard games are tied for second in school history. ... This is Ohio State's second trip to the state this year, having beaten Navy 34-17 in the opener at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. ... Ohio State has 15 completions of at least 20 yards. ... It may not last, but Maryland is alone atop the East Division of the Big Ten at 1-0. Four teams have one loss and the Buckeyes and Michigan State open league play this weekend.
