For the first time since 2001, Maryland football is 5-0. The Terps’ undefeated season will be on the line when Maryland travels to Columbus to take on No. 4 Ohio State on Oct. 7.
The game gives Maryland a chance to close the gap with the Big Ten’s top football schools, according to Matt Millen, a four-time Super Bowl champion and current Big Ten Network analyst.
“I think that gap’s been closing, and I think it’s been closing steadily,” Millen said on Glenn Clark Radio Oct. 3. “Every team has pluses and minuses, no matter what it is. Even the championship teams have pluses and minuses on their team. Right now, this Maryland team, their minuses are in places that are hard to cover up.”
One of the biggest problems for Maryland is the offensive line, according to Millen, who says any poor play up front will show against Ohio State. The analyst doesn’t know how much of an “eraser” quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa can be despite a strong season.
In addition to the offensive line, Millen thinks the defensive front is vulnerable when it comes to the run game. Ohio State averages 149 yards per game on the ground, ninth in the Big Ten, but Millen thinks the Buckeyes might be able to get going against the Terps.
“I think you can run against this Maryland defense,” he said. “That’s one of their Achilles heels.”
The Terps’ opponents have not been impressive to this point, as the four FBS teams they’ve faced hold a combined 5-15 record so far this season. Ohio State, at 4-0, poses a much bigger challenge. The Terps are 0-8 all-time against the Buckeyes.
Millen says Maryland must avoid turnovers and play strong defense to win the game.
“Winning the turnover margin, that’s the first thing,” Millen said. “Maryland can’t turn the ball over at all. They need to get a couple of turnovers, you need good field position, and you can’t have big chunk plays against your defense. The defensive front is going to have to play the best they have this season against that Ohio State run game.”
While the offensive and defensive lines have some question marks heading into the game, Millen is not concerned with the offensive playmakers or Tagovailoa.
“Here’s what we do know,” Millen said. “We do know that you have some skilled people. … The whole key to the piece to the puzzle is [Tagovailoa]. There’s no thought process. He’s just doing it. He’s accurate with the ball. His arm is strong enough. He’s in control. I think that’ll be the key for them.”
For more from Millen, listen to the full interview here:
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