Ohio State Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Maryland in Week 6

3. J.K. Dobbins is held under 100 yards for the third consecutive week

J.K. Dobbins has become an instant star for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

More from Ohio State Buckeyes

After arriving on campus mere months before the 2017 season began, the true freshman has amassed an impressive 573 rushing yards over the first five games and is on pace to become the most prolific freshman tailback in the program’s storied history.

However, after recording two 100-yard rushing performances over his first three games, Dobbins has failed to reach the century mark over the last two games against UNLV and Rutgers, largely due to a limited number of carries in a pair of blowout victories.

And in the Buckeyes’ Week 6 game against Maryland, this trend could continue, because unlike Ohio State’s previous opponents, Maryland is actually good against the run.

Currently ranked the 48th-best rushing defense in all of college football, Maryland hasn’t allowed a single 100-yard rusher this season and has only given up six touchdowns on the ground over four games.

While Dobbins is arguably a better player than any of Maryland’s previous running back opponents, Ohio State will probably avoid placing a heavy workload on their bell cow’s shoulders yet again in Week 6.

Maryland’s passing defense (93rd) is noticeably worse than their rushing defense and could be abused by Urban Meyer’s opportunistic offense.

Between a lack of carries, an incredibly stingy Maryland rushing defense and the reemergence of sophomore Mike Weber, who scored three touchdowns on only 10 carries in Week 5, it will be hard for Dobbins to reach triple-digits at Ohio Stadium in Week 6.