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The Maryland Terrapins (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) and the Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0, 1-0) meet Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Maryland vs. Ohio State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Terrapins hit the road looking to stay unbeaten, move to 3-0 in the conference, attain bowl eligibility, join the rankings and beat the Buckeyes for the 1st time. Ohio State leads the all-time series 8-0, winning 7 of the 8 meetings by 13 or more points, including a 43-30 victory in College Park last November.
Maryland spanked Indiana 44-17 last Saturday, covering a 14-point spread as the Over (49.5) cashed. The Terps have won both conference games by 22 or more points, while also covering both outings, and Maryland is 3-0 against the spread (ATS) in the past 3 games after opening the season 0-2 ATS.
Ohio State is coming off a bye following its 17-14 last-second victory on the road against Notre Dame. The Buckeyes failed to cover in that game, and it is 1-3 ATS in 4 games overall. The Under is also 3-1 in 4 games for Ohio State, thanks largely due to its defense. The Buckeyes have allowed just 34 total points in 4 games, or 8.5 points per game (PPG).
Star WR Marvin Harrison Jr. suffered an ankle injury in the Notre Dame victory, but apparently the bye week did his body good, as coach Ryan Day said Harrison has been a full participant in practice and is expected to play.
Ohio State is No. 3 in the US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
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Maryland at Ohio State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 5:49 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Maryland +725 (bet $100 to win $725) | Ohio State -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Maryland +19.5 (-105) | Ohio State -19.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Maryland at Ohio State picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 34, Maryland 17
Moneyline
Ohio State (-1200) will cost you 12 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not enough reward, especially in a conference battle of unbeaten teams. Even as part of a multi-team parlay, including the Buckeyes ruins the value of your potential ticket.
PASS, and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
MARYLAND +19.5 (-105) is a strong play on the road, as QB Taulia Tagovailoa has been tremendous this season. While he’ll get a strong test from the sturdy defense of Ohio State -19.5 (-115), if anyone can bust this defense, it’s the prolific pass attack of the Terps.
The concern with backing UMD is the fact the Buckeyes have had 2 weeks off thanks to the bye, getting them 100 percent healthy. However, Ohio State is 1-3 ATS this season, and this is quite a big number. I expect the Buckeyes to come up just short of a cover.
Over/Under
UNDER 56.5 (-110) is worth playing in this Big Ten battle.
The Under has cashed in 3 of 4 games for the Buckeyes, and Ohio State has allowed 10 or fewer points in 3 of 4 games, including 3-0 against unranked opponents.
The Over has cashed in 3 of 4 games against FBS opponents for the Terrapins this season, but the Under hit in the team’s only road game, a 31-9 conference win at Michigan State on Sept. 23. Lean low.
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