Ohio State handled Maryland 45-16, but the final score only tells part of the story.

The Buckeyes rushed for more than 200 yards, held the Terrapins to just 146 total yards and got another explosive afternoon from Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith. But two turnovers and eight penalties gave Ohio State plenty to clean up before next week’s top-10 showdown at Indiana.

Our Buckeye50 postgame recap breaks down the growing run game, the defense’s continued improvement, the mistakes that still matter and why Bloomington could tell us just how far this team has come since Texas.

Maryland was business. Indiana is the measuring stick.

Can Maryland land an early punch, or will Ohio State turn Homecoming into another statement victory? We’re putting three bold predictions on the board—including a big afternoon for Julian Sayin and a second-half shutdown from the Buckeye defense.

Ohio State did more than win at Kinnick. The Buckeyes answered their run-defense questions, watched Julian Sayin grow up on the road and saw Jeremiah Smith break two more school records. But four sacks, empty red-zone trips and Maryland’s explosive opening quarter at Nebraska give us plenty to watch on Homecoming Saturday.

Our new Buckeye50 Monday Musings breaks down what truly improved in the 31–14 win at Iowa—and what the final score still hides. Early prediction: Ohio State 42, Maryland 17.