No. 10 Ohio State survives Maryland, Big Ten East on line against Michigan

The Ohio State Buckeyes continue to test lady luck, this time surviving an overtime thriller against a lesser opponent in Maryland.

1. Haskins deserved to win this one: One day after the rumor dropped he’s going to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft, if all goes well down the stretch, Dwayne Haskins was money against Maryland, completing 28 of 38 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns against one interception.

Would a loss here really played into Haskins’ changing his mind? Probably not.

Haskins set the school’s single-season passing record for touchdowns (36) and passing yards against the Terrapins. His season total broke the mark of Joe Germaine, who through for 3,330 yards during the 1998 campaign.

The touchdown throw came at a tense time, as Haskins hooked up with Binjamin Victory on a touchdown throw late in the game fourth quarter, which tied the game.

It took Haskins 11 games to get the mark, while J.T. Barrett, who’s record Haskins broke, did it in 14.

Haskins has a shot to become the first Buckeye ever to throw for 40 touchdowns in a season.

2. The defense (shrug): The Buckeyes played like you’d expect Ohio State to play against Maryland in the third quarter as Ohio State outgunned the Terrapins 156-19.

The defense also held up late in the fourth quarter on what should’ve been a goal line stand. The back judge’s flag penalized the Bucks for pass interference, although the ball looked uncatchable.

Unfortunately, that’s all there is to say about the Buckeye’ defense.

The unit got gashed again for a big run in overtime, and the receiver on Maryland’s two-point attempt couldn’t have been more wide open.

The Terrapins had 535 total yards with 339 coming on the ground. Maryland averaged 7.1 yards per rush, which gets the Terrapins into the wrong side of the Ohio State history book.

Maryland’s yards per cary is now the fifth most surrendered by the Buckeyes in school history. Maryland booted Iowa, who averaged 7.08 yards per rush in 1960, out of the top five.

Urban Meyer will probably be having nightmares of Anthony McFarland, who scored two touchdowns, with one going for 81 yards.

3. Dobbins! A lot of attention will be paid to how the Buckeyes were gashed defensively, but Ohio STate’s own running back did plenty of damage, as J.K. Dobbins racked up 203 yards on the ground (37 attempts).

He had the costly fumble before halftime, but Maryland’s front seven was no match for the Buckeyes, and Dobbins reminded everyone of it.

4. Welcome to Michigan week: There’s a  different about this year’s Michigan game. Thankfully, it’s at The ‘Shoe, because the Buckeyes will need any extra advantage they can get.

The Silver Bullets just can’t stop anybody. Michigan ranks just sixth in the Big Ten in total offense, but that means nothing, considering Maryland was 11th!

The Big Ten East title is on the line. Does that finally wake up a defense that’s been the achilles heel of this team all year? Unfortunately, if they haven’t done it yet, it may be too late.