COLUMBUS, Ohio — It feels like a weekly tradition now. 

Another blowout loss for Maryland football. This script is getting old. The Terps can’t even come close to the top of the Big Ten, as they have now shown for the third week in a row.

In its other conference losses, Maryland was tied with its opponent for at least a quarter. Not this time. Maryland went down 14-3 in the first quarter and never got close in its 45-16 thrashing at Ohio State. 

Maryland has faced three of the top six teams in the conference to start Big Ten play, but the result has been the same regardless of the opponent. 

“Nobody wants to lose, but it’s a learning experience out of all of it. And you know, just telling our guys, you know, it’s still more of a season left,” linebacker Daniel Wingate said.

The team plays without composure or unity. The defense has half a unit, and the offense has one statistically competitive player, who did nothing on Saturday. The team is not playing competitive football. 

The divide between Maryland’s front seven and secondary is astonishing. 

In the first half against Ohio State, Maryland held the Buckeyes to 79 rushing yards and 4.4 per carry. 

Those numbers got worse by the end of the game, but the offense didn’t provide any assistance, leaving the defense on the field for the vast majority of the second half. 

Edge rushers Zion Elee and Sidney Stewart combined for two sacks, including a strip-sack, four TFLs, and 11 tackles. Wingate scored a pick-six thanks to pressure from the defensive line. 

In contrast, the secondary looks like it plays a different level of football. 

That isn’t a good thing. 

Maryland even activated defensive back Dontay Joyner ahead of the matchup, a desperate addition. 

Joyner started at cornerback in 2025, and Maryland head coach Michael Locksley brought him back to the team after he pleaded guilty to telephone misuse before the season. 

Despite the addition, Ohio State carved up the Terps.

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin finished the game with 242  yards and 4 touchdowns. He averaged 18.6 yards per completion. The Buckeyes converted on chunk plays to just about everyone on their team.

“It’s the consistency of being able to limit those explosives at the most inopportune time,” Locksley said when asked how Maryland can limit big plays.

Anyone who has paid attention to college football knows the name, Jeremiah Smith. Except Maryland defensive backs, apparently. Normally, Smith has eyes on him as he gets open for more big plays, but not Saturday. 

Maryland football promoted the matchup between Smith and Chris Durr Jr., the conference’s No. 1 and No. 2 in receptions, before the game. From the first quarter, the talent level between them was obvious. 

Maryland often left Smith open, including while playing zone coverage. On his first touchdown of the game, Smith didn’t have a white jersey near tackling range. 

Even when the Terps got into range, Smith broke the attempted tackles, as many Maryland opponents have, on his way to the end zone. 

Smith scored twice on huge run-after-catch plays, one drag route and one screen. He had 93 yards and two touchdowns Saturday. 

Durr barely left a scratch on the Buckeye defense, leaving Columbus with 15 yards as Smith completed more drives than the Maryland offense. 

Quarterback Malik Washington looked bad again despite finally using his legs. He scored the Terps’ only touchdown on offense, but missed the majority of his throws. He totaled 64 passing yards. 

“But I can tell you, usually when he struggles, it’s not just the quarterback; it’s whether the protection held up long enough, whether we created space,” Lockley said.

The run game was yet again a non-factor. 

Although everyone knew it would be a tough hill for Maryland to climb if it wanted the win, it’s now starting to feel like they don’t have a chance to begin with, regardless of who they play. 

In terms of Locksley’s position, it’s not longer if; it’s when.  

“The game of football we play, you know, it takes a mental toll on everybody, win, lose, or draw,” Washington said. “You gotta face the music a lot of times, right? It’s some tough nights, but you play it for the glory of the game, and you play it for a reason bigger than you.”