COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The College Football Playoff rankings will have a much different look on Tuesday, which will include the Buckeyes in the top four after Ohio State’s 62-3 crushing of Maryland and losses by second-ranked Michigan, third-ranked Clemson and No. 4 Washington.
J.T. Barrett accounted for four touchdowns, Curtis Samuel scored three TDs and No. 6 Ohio State enjoyed another lopsided victory on Saturday.
Coming off a 62-3 rout of then-No. 10 Nebraska, the Buckeyes led 21-3 after the first quarter and 45-3 at halftime. Unlike last week, this blowout was no surprise because it came against a struggling team with quarterback issues and a porous defense.
Ohio State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten, No. 5 CFP) has won three straight to remain in contention for the Big Ten title and, more importantly, a berth in the College Football Playoff.
In the hours following the Buckeye victory, second-ranked Michigan lost at Iowa and No. 3 Clemson at home, both to unranked teams on last-minute field goals, and the Huskies lost at home to
Maryland (5-5, 2-5) has been outscored 121-6 over the last two weeks and given up 163 points during its thre-game losing streak.
With Barrett and Samuel leading the way, the Buckeyes eliminated any potential drama by scoring touchdowns on three of their four possessions in the first quarter.
Samuel got things started with a 2-yard touchdown run. Barrett then took it in from 4 and added a 36-yard TD pass to Samuel.
In between, the Buckeyes punted for the first time two weeks. Also, backup quarterback Caleb Rowe led the Terps to a field goal. But even that was disappointing because Maryland failed to get into the end zone after a 37-yard completion produced a first down at the Ohio State 3.
Rowe took over for Perry Hills, who was injured at the end of Maryland’s second drive. Rowe proved ineffective and was replaced in the second half by true freshman Tyrrell Pigrome.
Barrett made it 28-3 with a 1-yard run early in the second quarter and Samuel got his third touchdown around right end from the 5.
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer replaced Barrett during a third-quarter drive that ended with a TD for a 55-3 lead. Barrett ran for two touchdowns, threw two scoring passes and finished 18 for 27 for 253 yards.
Samuel ran for 38 yards and caught five passes for 74 yards. Freshman Mike Weber carried 12 times for 93 yards.
Ohio State travels to Michigan State, which whipped Rutgers 49-0 Saturday. It’s the Buckeyes’ final tuneup before the regular-season finale at home against Michigan.