Why Maryland Could Cover the 19.5-Point Spread Against Ohio State

Maryland Terrapins (5-0 SU, ATS 3-1) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0 SU, ATS 1-1-1)
Date: Saturday, October 7th
Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
TV: Fox
Point Spread: Maryland +19.5/Ohio State -19.5
Money Line: Maryland +817/Ohio State -1575
Over/Under: 55.5

The Maryland Terrapins and Ohio State Buckeyes matchup in a Big Ten showdown at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. The over/under for this matchup is currently 55.5 while Ohio State is favored by -19.5.

Head-to-Head Matchup:

Ohio State currently holds the bragging rights over Maryland as in their most recent head to head matchup, they won 43-30. The Ohio State offense had a big game, putting up 43 points on 401 yards of total offense. For the game, the Buckeyes picked up 26 first downs while going 8/15 on 3rd down. Defensively, they gave up 318 passing yards and 84 yards rushing.

Maryland Terrapins Recent Form:

Heading into this week’s matchup with Ohio State, the Maryland Terrapins are still undefeated at 5-0. In their most recent game, they took down Indiana by a score of 44-17.

When looking at how their game played out from a betting perspective, their combined 61 points resulting in the over hitting. The over/under line going into the game was 50. Maryland also covered the spread as 14.5-point favorites.

Taulia Tagovailoa finished with a passer rating of 143.63 while throwing for 352 yards vs. Indiana. He ended the game with 34 passing attempts and completed 70.6% of his passes.

Maryland’s leading rusher against Indiana was Roman Hemby, who ran for 54 yards on 14 times. Roman Hemby did not run for a score against Indiana. The team’s leading receiver was Tai Felton, who contributed three touchdowns and caught seven balls for 134 yards.

The Terrapins’ defense finished the game by giving up 321 total yards to Indiana. The team’s run defense allowed 116 yards rushing compared to 205 in the passing game. Coming into this week’s game, the Maryland defense is 35th in points allowed at 13.2 points per game. So far, team’s have averaged 211.8 passing yards per game vs. the unit (75th). On the ground, they are giving up 116.4 rushing yards, putting them 50th in college football.

Away Injury Report

Ohio State Buckeyes Recent Form:

After taking down Notre Dame by a score of 17-14, Ohio State is still undefeated at 4-0.

The over/under betting line going into the game was 56.5 points, which the teams did not surpass. Even though they lost straight-up, Notre Dame covered the spread as 3 point underdogs.

In the win against Notre Dame, Kyle McCord threw for 240 yards on 21 of 37 passing. His overall passer rating was 76.41 and he did not throw or rush for a touchdown.

Ohio State’s leading rusher against Notre Dame was TreVeyon Henderson, who along with rushing for 104 yards, he found the endzone one time in his 14 attempts. Leading Ohio State in receiving against Notre Dame was Emeka Egbuka. Although he didn’t catch a touchdown pass, he finished with 96 yards on seven receptions.

Defensively, Ohio State allowed a total of 381 yards to Notre Dame. This includes giving up 159 yards allowed on the ground and 222 passing yards. As we head into this week’s game, the Ohio State defense ranks 11th for points allowed, with an average of 8.5 points per game. Teams have been gaining 149 passing yards per game against them (15th nationally). Against the run, they’ve given up 106.5 rushing yards, placing them 36th in college football.

Home Injury Report

Betting Trends

• Maryland are 2-3 Against the spread in their last five games on the road.
• At home, Ohio State has gone 3-6-1 against the spread (last ten).
• In the three most recent times they were the underdog, Ohio State has put together an ATS record of 2-1.
• Maryland’s record vs. the spread in their three most recent games as the favorite is 3-0.

Line Movement:

In terms of the current moneyline odds, Ohio State is currently attributed a 94% probability of winning, with a moneyline payout of -1682. Conversely, the Terrapins’ implied win percentage stands at 11% on a moneyline of +848. Starting as 18.5 point favorites at home, Ohio State has seen the lines move in their favor, now sitting at -19.5. The oddsmakers initially set the over/under line for this game at 55, but it has since been pushed up to its current line of 56.5, with the over now paying out at -112 and the under at -110.

Rich’s Pick: Maryland +19.5? Don’t Sleep on the Terrapins!

If you’re looking to make some cash, Maryland covering a 19.5-point spread is worth a hard look. Why?

Taulia Tagovailoa is Slinging It: The kid put up 352 yards against Indiana. He’s got an arm and he’s not afraid to use it.

Stingy Defense: Maryland’s allowing just 13.2 points a game, ranked 35th in the nation. They’re solid against the run too. Ohio State’s gonna have to work for every point.

Buckeyes’ Shaky ATS Home Record: 3-6-1 ATS in their last ten home games? That’s not a team I’d bet on to cover a near three-TD spread.

Terrapins Are Underrated: Maryland’s been crushing the spread lately. They’re 3-0 ATS when they’re the favorite. Oddsmakers might be undervaluing them here.

Ohio State’s Injury List: Keep an eye on this. The Buckeyes have more banged-up key players, including leading receiver Marvin Harrison and that could tip the scales.

Take the Terps