NFL
By: Owen Tyler
Ohio State is coming off one of its best wins of the season, but the Buckeyes now have some questions to answer before Maryland comes to Columbus.
Ohio State could be without two of its top receivers behind Jeremiah Smith on Saturday.
Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin are both listed as questionable for the Maryland game. Neither injury has been given a specific reason yet.
For a team that has looked so good throwing the football, this is something worth watching.
McCuin Has Become a Big Part of the Offense
Devin McCuin has quietly become one of Julian Sayin’s favorite targets this season.
Through five games, McCuin has 17 catches for 245 yards and two touchdowns.
He had his best game of the season against Iowa, catching all four passes thrown his way for 80 yards and a touchdown.
That kind of production matters when defenses are already spending most of their attention on Jeremiah Smith.
If McCuin cannot play Saturday, Ohio State will have to find someone else to fill those snaps.
Inniss Could Also Miss Saturday
Brandon Inniss is another important piece of this receiver room.
Inniss has 10 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown this season. He returned against Iowa after missing time and caught two passes for 14 yards.
Losing both McCuin and Inniss at the same time would put more pressure on Ohio State’s younger receivers.
That could mean bigger roles for freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd.
LSU transfer Kyle Parker is also expected to make his Ohio State debut this week, which could not come at a better time.
Jeremiah Smith Is Still Here
The good news for Ryan Day is pretty simple.
Jeremiah Smith is healthy.
After putting together 11 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns against Iowa, Smith is now coming off one of the best games of his career.
He also moved past Ohio State’s career records for receptions and receiving touchdowns with his performance.
Maryland now has to deal with him, even if Ohio State is missing other pieces around him.
That makes Smith even more important this week.
The Offensive Line Has a Question Too
The receiver room is not the only position dealing with injuries.
Right tackle Phillip Daniels is also listed as questionable after missing the last three games with an injury suffered against Texas.
Ryan Day said he hopes Daniels can get some work in during the week and potentially be available against Maryland.
If he does return, Ohio State will have to decide how many snaps he can handle.
Gabe VanSickle has stepped in during Daniels’ absence, and the offensive line has started to build some rhythm together.
Ohio State Should Still Be Fine
Maryland has lost three straight games and is coming off a 48- 23 loss to Nebraska.
Ohio State is coming off a 35- 14 win over No. 14 Iowa.
On paper, this is still a game the Buckeyes should win.
But these injuries are worth watching because Indiana is waiting next week.
Ohio State does not need to risk anyone against Maryland if they are not ready.
The Buckeyes have enough talent to win this game, even if a few players have to step into bigger roles.
And if McCuin and Inniss cannot go, this could be a great opportunity for some of Ohio State’s younger receivers to show what they can do.
The Buckeyes are 4 and 1.
Now they just need to get healthy before the schedule gets much tougher. Ohio State travels to face No.6 Indiana next week.
