Ohio State Football: Ranking 2021 opponents by toughness

Under four seasons with Jeff Brohm at the helm, the offense has not been the problem. The Boilermakers can score points with the best of them. However, the defense is a big issue, especially in a conference that features tough defenses.

Brohm hopes the third time is a charm with another change in defensive coordinator, this time Brad Lambert. He will be tasked with forming a defensive identity with very limited playmakers.

This year’s meeting is the first between the two schools since 2018, the surprising 49-20 upset of the Buckeyes and where the world met Tyler Trent. This Boilermakers team is a far cry from that 2018 team. Buckeyes should be able to dispose of them fairly easily.

Maryland’s offense last season got to shine in victories over Minnesota and Penn State. The season was very disjointed because of COVID-19, but the Terps hope to keep improving on the offensive side of the ball.

Taulia Tagovailoa is back for another season and he gives the Terps a chance to win. The dual-threat quarterback also is surrounded by weapons at the wide receiver position, perhaps the Terps’ strongest positional unit overall.

Defensively the Terps are still building depth but there is more talent on this side of the ball now than there was when Mike Locksley took over the head gig. The Terp secondary should be its strength.

All meetings between Ohio State and Maryland have been blowouts outside of a one-point Buckeye win in 2018. This year Maryland could put up a fight but Ohio State will still be the heavy favorite heading into the matchup.