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Maryland's Defense

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buckeye phi's picture
October 8, 2015 at 6:51pm
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There have already been a couple of articles about Maryland's offense at 11W this week - so there's really no need to cover old ground in that regard.  But for those who would like a look at the other side of the ball as well, here is some basic information on the Terrapins' defense.

The statistics may not be terribly reliable given the level of competition Maryland has faced over the first five weeks.  But they don't look to be very strong defensively, in any case.  The Terp's are ranked 110th nationally in total defense (according to ESPN statistics*) - giving up 449 yards and 32 points per game.   They're ranked 103rd verses the run - giving up 199.8 yards per game.  And they're 94th - yielding 249.6 ypg against the pass

To help put that in to some sort of perspective, the Buckeyes are ranked 14th nationally in total defense - giving up an average of 283 yards per game - and 15.2 points.  OSU is 38th verses the run (132.6 ypg) and 11th against the pass (150.4 ypg).

Middle linebacker, Jermaine Carter (a 6'0" 245lb rs Sophomore), leads Maryland's defense in tackles with 54.**  Corner-back, Sean Davis, is next with 41 tackles.  Davis, a 6'1" 205lb Senior, also leads the team with two interceptions (33 return yards). 

Maryland's defensive line will get after the passer.  Defensive end, Yannick Ngakoue (a 6'2" 255lb Junior), leads the team with 6.5 sacks.  He is closely followed by tackle, Quinton Jefferson, with 5.5 - and DE, Roman Braglio, with 4.5. 

The Terps' most well known defender is undoubtedly corner-back, William Likely.   The 5'7" 175lb Junior leads the team in passes broken up and passes defensed.  Of course, as most fans are aware, he is best known as a spectacular punt returner.  So far this season, he has returned 15 punts for an average of 24 yards per attempt.  He has returned two for scores - the longest for 85 yards.

Maryland generally runs a 4-3 - but the Buckeyes should not be surprised if they see an odd front again for this game - especially, given their struggles with such fronts in the past.  It also appears the Terps may have better personnel for that kind of change-up than Ohio State's last few opponents.  At least their tackles have the necessary size.  Jefferson is 6'3" 289lbs and the other starter, David Shaw, is 6'4" 307. 

Odd front or not - and as repetitive as it may sound - Maryland is going to load the box against Ohio State.  It's a strategy that most teams are going to employ until the Buckeye offense can more consistently make them pay for taking the risks of giving up the big play that are inherent with such a scheme.

Last Saturday, the Terps were still very much in the game with Michigan (0-6) until midway through the third quarter (before eventually, giving up 22 second-half points).  Of course, that might have had something to do with Michigan's 59th ranked offense, as well. 

There are rumors that this may be Randy Edsall's last game as Maryland's head coach.  The Terp's may be fired up for this one.  But if Ohio State's offense can cut back on the mistakes that have plagued them so far this season, they should have little trouble with Maryland's defense. 

Of course, another multiple turnover/multiple penalty outing will result in another closer-than-expected game with yet another over-matched opponent.  The Buckeye offense is overdue for a breakout performance.  It's Homecoming weekend - the perfect time (and the perfect opponent) to really get things rolling -

Prediction:     Maryland - 10     Ohio State - 56

*http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/team/_/stat/total/position/defense/sort/yardsPerGame

**http://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/maryland/91027

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