Ohio State Opens 2026 Big Ten Schedule Against Maryland at Ohio Stadium
Ohio State begins its 2026 Big Ten schedule today hosting Maryland at Ohio Stadium, with kickoff set for 4:15 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. The Buckeyes enter the matchup looking to extend a 12-game home winning streak and build on an all-time 9-0-0 record against the Terrapins. Head coach Ryan Day’s squad has outscored Maryland 219-78 across their four previous meetings in the Day era.
Buckeyes Defend Historic Home Turf Record in Columbus
Ohio Stadium provides a formidable backdrop as the Buckeyes protect a 490-115-20 all-time home record. Program records show Ohio State has secured 159 home wins since 2000, leading the nation by nine victories over any other program during that span. The team boasts 47 home wins since the start of the 2019 season, the most victories of any team in college football over that timeframe.
Jeremiah Smith Nears Big Ten Receiving Records
Jeremiah Smith paces all college football players in receptions (207), receiving yards (3,381), and receiving touchdowns (36) since entering the collegiate ranks in 2024. Through the first five games of the season, Smith recorded 44 catches for 823 yards and nine touchdowns across 16 quarters. That production puts him on a regular-season pace for 121 catches, 2,262 yards, and 25 touchdowns.
Smith needs 408 yards and four touchdowns to break the existing Big Ten records. Securing over 100 receiving yards against Maryland will push him past Marvin Harrison Jr. for the most career 100-yard games in program history, marking his 16th such performance. Smith previously posted eight catches for 150 yards and three touchdowns in the first half against Illinois, joining DeVonta Smith of Alabama and Ja’Marr Chase of LSU as the third receiver since 2015 from a Power Four conference to notch at least three games with 150 yards and two touchdowns in a single half.
Julian Sayin Climbs Passing Leaderboards
Julian Sayin holds a career completion percentage of 75.0 percent, ranking as the most accurate quarterback in program history while threatening an NCAA record for players with a minimum of 875 attempts. Sayin has thrown 46 career touchdowns, placing 10th in program history, while his nine 300-yard passing games tie for the second most by a Buckeye. Sitting at 5,224 career passing yards, he requires 172 more yards to enter the top 10 for career passing yardage at Ohio State.
Ryan Day Faces Maryland in Milestone Conference Matchup
Today’s contest marks Ryan Day’s 63rd Big Ten game as head coach, factoring in victories against Rutgers as acting head coach in 2018. Under Day, the Buckeyes hold a 57-5 conference record, including a 29-2 mark in road Big Ten games and a 41-1 record against unranked conference opponents. Day’s teams are 23-1 in October, undefeated in 12 home games during the month, and 7-1 against ranked opponents in October. Across Day’s conference tenure, Ohio State averages 40.0 points per game while yielding 15.1 points to opponents.
Maryland Seeks Rebound After Three Consecutive Losses
Maryland arrives in Columbus holding a 2-3 record following wins against Hampton and UConn to open the season, followed by consecutive losses to Virginia Tech, UCLA, and Nebraska. Despite the recent skid, the Terrapins maintained the nation’s best non-conference winning percentage since 2019 at 22-2 (.917). Chris Durr Jr. enters the game with at least six receptions in each of his five outings this season, a streak surpassed only by Tai Felton in 2024. Durr ranks second nationally behind Jeremiah Smith with 42 total receptions and 8.4 catches per game, while averaging 92.2 receiving yards per contest. Quarterback Malik Washington directs a passing offense that ranks 30th nationally and fifth in the Big Ten with 277.2 yards per game, tallying 1,288 passing yards this season. Defensively, Maryland generates 2.80 sacks per game to rank third in the conference, while yielding just 1.2 sacks per contest. Punter Bryce McFerson anchors the special teams unit as a 2025 Second Team All-Big Ten honoree and a 2026 Ray Guy Watch List selection.
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