Maryland at No. 5 Ohio State 2026 Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & 4 Prop Bets

No. 5 Ohio State returns to Columbus on Saturday afternoon for a Big Ten matchup against Maryland at Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State enters 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play after an impressive 31-14 road victory over No. 14 Iowa. Maryland is 2-3 and 0-2 in the Big Ten after watching a strong first half disappear in a 48-23 loss at Nebraska.

The Buckeyes are massive 34.5-point favorites, making the primary betting question whether Maryland can generate enough offense to stay inside the number against one of the nation’s most complete teams.

Game Information

Matchup: Maryland Terrapins at No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026 Kickoff: 4:15 PM ET TV: Big Ten Network Venue: Ohio Stadium — Columbus, Ohio Tickets: As low as $69 Point Spread: Ohio State -34.5 Over/Under: 56.5

Saturday is Ohio State’s Homecoming game. The Buckeyes are 9-0 all-time against Maryland and 5-0 in Columbus, scoring at least 37 points in every meeting.

Ohio State: Buckeyes Looking Like a National Contender

Ohio State responded to its one-point loss at Texas with three consecutive victories over Kent State, Illinois and Iowa.

The performance at Iowa may have been the most impressive.

Quarterback Julian Sayin completed 20 of 27 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns, while Ohio State outgained Iowa 484-238 and controlled possession for more than 38 minutes.

Sayin has now thrown for 1,530 yards, 13 touchdowns and only one interception, completing 72.5 percent of his passes. The Buckeyes are averaging 42.2 points and 514.4 yards per game.

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith remains the biggest matchup problem.

Smith exploded for 206 receiving yards and two touchdowns against Iowa while becoming Ohio State’s all-time leader in career touchdown receptions. He enters Saturday with 617 receiving yards this season.

The defense has been equally impressive. Ohio State is allowing only 12.6 points and 267 yards per game, including just 168 passing yards per contest.

Maryland: Terps Need Four Complete Quarters

Maryland showed against Nebraska that it has enough offensive talent to create problems.

The Terrapins led Nebraska 23-14 late in the second quarter and produced 207 yards in the opening period alone. But two interceptions changed the game, including an 81-yard pick-six, and Maryland failed to score in the second half.

Quarterback Malik Washington finished with 254 passing yards and a touchdown.

His favorite target was Chris Durr Jr., who recorded seven receptions for a career-high 149 yards and a 65-yard touchdown. Durr has caught at least six passes in every game this season and already has 42 receptions.

Running back DeJuan Williams also returned to the lineup and rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown, including a 56-yard run.

Maryland finished with a season-high 395 yards against Nebraska, but the challenge gets much harder in Columbus.

Four Prop Bets to Consider

College player-prop availability varies by sportsbook, so these are target numbers to consider if offered near these ranges.

Prop Bet #1: Julian Sayin Over 274.5 Passing Yards

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Sayin Over 274.5 Passing Yards

• 306 Yards Per Game
• 324 Yards vs Iowa
• 13 TDs to 1 INT

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Sayin is averaging 306 passing yards per game and just threw for 324 against one of the Big Ten’s better defenses.

Maryland will likely devote extra coverage to Smith, but Ohio State has enough receiving depth to create favorable matchups elsewhere.

Prediction: Julian Sayin — 312 passing yards

Prop Bet #2: Jeremiah Smith Over 99.5 Receiving Yards

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Smith Over 99.5 Receiving Yards

• 206 Yards vs Iowa
• 617 Yards This Season
• Ohio State Career TD Record

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Smith is coming off one of his biggest collegiate performances.

He recorded 206 yards against Iowa and caught touchdown passes of 12 and 57 yards. Even double coverage has not consistently prevented Sayin from targeting him.

Prediction: Jeremiah Smith — 124 receiving yards

Prop Bet #3: Chris Durr Jr. Over 59.5 Receiving Yards

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Durr Over 59.5 Receiving Yards

• 149 Yards vs Nebraska
• 42 Receptions This Season
• 6+ Catches Every Game

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Durr has become Washington’s security blanket and biggest explosive threat.

Maryland will probably spend much of Saturday playing from behind, creating additional passing volume. Durr may not repeat his 149-yard performance, but he should receive plenty of targets.

Prediction: Chris Durr Jr. — 74 receiving yards

Prop Bet #4: Ohio State Over 42.5 Team Points

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Ohio State Over 42.5 Team Points

• 42.2 Points Per Game
• 3-0 at Ohio Stadium
• Maryland Allowed 48 Last Week

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Ohio State has scored 56, 59 and 42 points in its three home games.

Maryland just allowed Nebraska to score 48, including 20 points in the fourth quarter.

With Sayin and Smith operating at a high level, Ohio State should create repeated scoring opportunities.

Prediction: Ohio State — 49 points

Players to Watch

Julian Sayin — Ohio State

Sayin’s efficiency has become remarkable. He has 13 touchdown passes against just one interception while completing better than 72 percent of his throws.

Jeremiah Smith — Ohio State

Smith can turn ordinary completions into touchdowns and has demonstrated that even tight coverage isn’t necessarily enough to stop him.

Malik Washington — Maryland

Washington must protect the football. Maryland cannot repeat the turnovers that allowed Nebraska to erase the Terrapins’ first-half lead.

Chris Durr Jr. — Maryland

Durr gives Maryland its best chance to create explosive plays. Ohio State will need to keep him from producing the kind of vertical receptions he generated against Nebraska.

Keys to the Game

Ohio State needs to pressure Washington without allowing Durr to get behind the secondary.

Offensively, the Buckeyes should attack through Sayin and Smith early before leaning more heavily on their running backs if they build a comfortable lead.

Maryland’s formula is considerably more difficult. The Terrapins need long drives, no turnovers and touchdowns instead of field goals.

Maryland also has to prevent Ohio State from creating an early avalanche. If the Buckeyes build a three-score first-half advantage, Washington will be forced into predictable passing situations.

Betting Prediction

A 34.5-point spread is enormous for a Big Ten game, but Ohio State’s home dominance and Maryland’s second-half collapse at Nebraska make the number understandable.

The Buckeyes have won their three home games by 53, 56 and 23 points.

Maryland can move the football, particularly through Washington and Durr, but Ohio State’s defense represents a major upgrade from anything the Terrapins have recently faced.

The 56.5 total leans toward the over because Ohio State could approach 50 points.

The Verdict

Maryland produces a few offensive highlights early, but Ohio State eventually overwhelms the Terrapins with its passing game and defensive pressure.

Sayin delivers another 300-yard afternoon, Smith produces his fourth consecutive major performance, and the Buckeyes head toward their showdown with Indiana with another convincing victory.

Final Score Prediction

Ohio State 49, Maryland 13

Betting Category Pick Best Bet Jeremiah Smith Over 99.5 Receiving Yards Against the Spread Ohio State -34.5 Moneyline Ohio State Over/Under Over 56.5 Top Prop Julian Sayin Over 274.5 Passing Yards

Final Prediction: Ohio State 49, Maryland 13

Ohio State improves to 5-1 and 3-0 in Big Ten play, covers the 34.5-point spread and sends plenty of momentum into its massive road matchup with Indiana.