Ohio State’s season has already included one wobble, but this one still looks like a very different kind of Saturday. Maryland heads to Columbus as a 34.5-point underdog, and the matchup is the kind that usually clarifies where a team stands rather than changes the picture. For anyone asking what time does Ohio State play today, the answer is 4:15 p.m. ET, with the game airing on Big Ten Network.
That kickoff matters because Ohio State enters as the clear favorite at No. 5, while Maryland is dealing with a three-game skid and has allowed 137 points during that stretch. In a conference setting like this, the gap is not just about rankings. It is about whether Maryland can slow a team with the kind of offensive profile Ohio State brings into the afternoon.
Why the matchup matters
Ohio State’s only loss this season came in a 24-23 collapse against No. 1 Texas, which is a reminder that even top teams can be pushed into thin margins. But the broader picture still points to a strong Ohio State group under Ryan Day, who led the program to a 2024 championship. Last season, Ohio State cruised through the regular season without a loss before falling to eventual national champion Indiana in the Big Ten Championship game and then to No. 10-seed Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Maryland, meanwhile, faces its toughest game on the schedule. That is not just a schedule note; it is a practical warning. Ohio State has the talent to make a game feel one-sided early, and the numbers attached to Maryland’s recent run suggest the margin for error is small. If the Terrapins are going to stay competitive, they will need to avoid the kind of breakdowns that have fueled the three-game skid.
What Ohio State brings in
The matchup also includes individual firepower that helps explain the spread. Jeremiah Smith has 44 catches for 823 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, while Julian Sayin has completed 77% of his passes for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Those are not just good numbers; they point to a passing game that can keep pressure on a defense for four quarters. Jaylen McClain is another name to watch, though the broader story remains Ohio State’s ability to control the game across multiple levels.
Maryland does have one offensive note worth tracking. The team has 306 passing yards per game and 13 touchdowns through 19 career starts for its quarterback, which tells you the passing game can move the ball. But this trip to Columbus is a different test entirely. Ohio State has already shown this season that it can withstand mistakes and still impose its level on a game. That is why a 4:15 p.m. kickoff on Big Ten Network feels less like a scheduling footnote and more like the start of a major Big Ten measuring stick.
