Maryland (2-1, 5-1) at #4 Ohio State (2-0, 5-0) Post Game

[MrNubbz]

Hey I didn’t know Henderson would be ruled out last minute and the OSU OL would play like women for the first half of the game.

Take that back women hit men all the time, Buckeye O-Line - jury's still out

[Cincydawg]

I still am fascinated by a clearly better team, at home this time, can play "flat" or poorly, whatever, against an over matched opponent, and then USUALLY clean things up enough to win.  This isn't any dig at OSU of course, it happens to nearly every top team in a season.  Last year, UGA let Kent State stick around, and then very nearly lost to Missouri (on the road).  This year they let G5 teams stick around and almost lost to Auburn, before blowing out UK.

I think a lot of this is randomness, a pass two inches this way instead of that, a holding penalty called, or not, a ball getting punched out, really random things that can cascade.

Now usually a top team will dominate a lesser of course, but not always as we all have seen.

[medinabuckeye1]

Turning point:
In the Power Ranking thread @Big Beef Tacosupreme commented on this and I thought it was a good point:

Set-up:
Ohio State looked like a dumpster 🔥 for pretty much the entire first half wit the exception of the pick-6. Tied 10-10 at the half.

Maryland scores first in the third quarter, 17-10 Maryland, looking like a dogfight. 

Ohio State answers, tied 17-17.

Maryland throws a pick so Ohio State gets the ball in Maryland territory but Maryland's defense prevents a TD, 20-17 Ohio State. 

Maryland gets 10 and a first down but then goes 3-and-out and punts with Ohio State still up by three. 

The Buckeyes drive into Maryland territory (1st and 10 at UMD 43) then a complete cluster of a play goes for an 18 yard loss and 2nd and 28 at the tOSU 39 which becomes 2nd and 33 at the 34 due to a delay of game. 

Maryland is only down three and they *SHOULD* get an easy stop here. Seriously, in the whole history of football, what percentage of 2nd and 30+ have been converted?

Instead, McCord hits Harrison for 37 then throws a TD on the next play and Ohio State leads 27-17.

On the ensuing Maryland possession, they got into a 4th and 3 at their 32, went for it, and didn't get it.

What does everyone think of that call? I respect it. If you are playing for a respectable loss, you punt there and hope to only lose by 10. 

If you are playing to win and you are on the road against a top-5 opponent and their offense is starting to click and momentum is shifting, you have to get that conversion. 

[Cincydawg]

I go for it there.

[NorthernOhioBuckeye]

I think Coach Locksley made the correct call with the intention of winning the game. If I remember, there was around 7-8 mins of game time left and they had to answer. I would have made the same call. 

[GopherRock]

No argument with going for it there. Punting means you either don't get the ball back or you're down another score when you do.

The biggest screw up was their last possession before the half. 1st down from IIRC the tOSU 15 ish. Little Tua had 12 seconds to take a couple of shots to the end zone before a FG attempt. He threw a checkdown 5 yards downfield on the hash marks, and time ran out before they could get another play off. Get points on that series and it's either 20-10 or 24-10 Terps after their score to start 3Q, and the situation is very different for the Bucks.

[medinabuckeye1]

No argument with going for it there. Punting means you either don't get the ball back or you're down another score when you do.

The biggest screw up was their last possession before the half. 1st down from IIRC the tOSU 15 ish. Little Tua had 12 seconds to take a couple of shots to the end zone before a FG attempt. He threw a checkdown 5 yards downfield on the hash marks, and time ran out before they could get another play off. Get points on that series and it's either 20-10 or 24-10 Terps after their score to start 3Q, and the situation is very different for the Bucks.

Agree, that was a huge miss for them.

Down one score instead of two they would have been in position to keep it a game a lot longer.