Ohio State Football: Way-too-early 2020 game-by-game predictions

10. at Maryland Terrapins (Nov. 14)

Last time these two teams met in College Park, the Terrapins were a two-point conversion away from pulling off an upset against Ohio State. Responding with 73 points in Columbus last season, much of the same should be expected in 2020.

Maryland is going to be in year two of head coach Mike Locksley and still trying to build up the program. The main buzz around Maryland right now is local product and five-star wide receiver Rakim Jarrett out of Washington, D.C. While he could be the beginning of the Terps finally doing something in the Big Ten, it for sure will not come next season.

In the middle of a bland schedule between Penn State and Michigan, Maryland will have a difficult time presenting a challenge to the Buckeyes.

Prediction: Ohio State wins (10-0, 7-0)

11. at Illinois Fighting Illini (Nov. 21)

Lovie Smith was on the verge of getting fired until he got his signature victory against No. 6 Wisconsin this past season. Another highly-ranked team will be coming into Champaign in 2020 for the latest edition of an old Big Ten rivalry. Facing off for the first time in 1904, the rivalry game was played every year from 1914 all the way until 2002.

After taking a two-year break, Illinois and Ohio State will meet back up for the Illibuck Trophy for the 103rd time. Not having a winning season since 2011, the Illini are still in rebuilding mode and not at the level to beat a team like the Buckeyes.

If Ohio State were to have a blowup road game in the Big Ten as they have in the past, this game may be it. However, they should be able to take care of an Illinois team still trying to establish a winning culture.

Prediction: Ohio State wins (11-0, 8-0)

12. Michigan Wolverines (Nov. 28)

Every single year, we ask ourselves the same thing. Is this finally the year that Michigan finally pulls it off and beats Ohio State? And every single year, we usually get the same answer: no.

Since 2000, Michigan has only won three times, having the Buckeyes dominate this bitter rivalry since the turn of the century. When Jim Harbaugh took over in 2015 it was expected he would be able to turn the ship around in Ann Arbor and the first step was beating Ohio State.

Since then, the Wolverines have been not only beaten but embarrassed by Urban Meyer and now Ryan Day, winning the five matchups by an average of 19 points. Eventually, That Team Up North will finally find a way to beat Ohio State, but this is not the year.

Prediction: Ohio State wins (12-0, 9-0)