What can Kyle McCord do for an encore?

Two weeks in the past, Ohio Order’s first-year founding quarterback led the Buckeyes on a overdue force to return away with a admirable victory at Notre Dame. It used to be a signature victory for the 21-year-old McCord, who’s settling into the offense nearest sitting for 2 years in the back of famous person C.J. Stroud. However issues don’t get a lot more uncomplicated, as nearest a bye, the Buckeyes (4-0) play games host to unbeaten Maryland (5-0) in what will have to be a superior Obese Ten matchup. 

HOW TO WATCH ‘BIG NOON KICKOFF’ THIS SATURDAY

• 10 a.m.-Noon ET: “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show on FOX
• Noon ET: Maryland at Ohio State on FOX and the FOX Sports app

“It’s like I used to be instructed as a tender quarterback, whenever you come house with an ‘A’ in algebra, you’re anticipated get an ‘A’ in algebra all of the future,” Ohio Order schoolteacher Ryan Life mentioned this life. “Now you’re seeing what Kyle can do. That’s now the expectation.”

Ultimate 12 months, Maryland gave the Buckeyes a competition, preserving it alike till in the end losing a 43-30 resolution.

Can the Terps stock it alike once more this 12 months, and even speed off an disappointed? 

Can McCord stock the Buckeyes rolling? 

FOX Sports activities faculty soccer professionals Michael Cohen, Bryan Fischer and Laken Litman percentage what they’ll be on the lookout for within the competition, in addition to what they’re excited to peer in a excess Crimson River Showdown between Texas and Oklahoma, in addition to the alternative gigantic video games in Occasion 6.

Maryland at Incorrect. 4 Ohio Order (Midday ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities app)

Michael Cohen: There’s a component of triviality to assessing Maryland’s status within the Obese Ten East given the possible removal of sections to deal with convention newbies USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington nearest season. However the reality rest that Maryland has gained 15 video games over the latter two years and nonetheless completed under .500 in convention play games each occasions: 4-5 in 2022 and 3-6 in 2021. The largest explanation why? Annual matchups with juggernauts Michigan, Ohio Order and Penn Order. The Terrapins are 0-31 towards ranked Obese Ten warring parties since becoming a member of the league in 2014.

Will this be the 12 months that adjustments? Will Mike Locksley, who is trying to change into the primary Maryland head schoolteacher to submit 3 consecutive profitable seasons since Ralph Friedgen from 2001-03, in spite of everything tumble a high-level section rival prior to the convention rearranges? The ones are the most important questions going through the Terrapins as they get ready to stand Incorrect. 4 Ohio Order on Saturday, with impending matchups towards Penn Order on Nov. 4 and Michigan on Nov. 18. 

Any anticipation of taking indisposed the Buckeyes this weekend hinges partially at the efficiency of big name quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who has change into essentially the most achieved passer in Maryland historical past. Tagovailoa enters Saturday’s competition with a blended report of 1-6 towards Ohio Order, Penn Order and Michigan since changing into the Terrapins’ starter in 2020. His largest downfall in the ones marquee matchups has been uncharacteristically penniless ball safety to offset some gaudy passing totals. With 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions towards the aforementioned 3 groups, Tagovailoa’s touchdown-to-interception ratio of one.67 to at least one is easily under his Maryland occupation mark of two.21 to at least one throughout 34 video games. What’s extra, six of his 12 occupation fumbles have come towards the Buckeyes (4) and Nittany Lions (2) over the latter two seasons. 

Tagovailoa will want probably the most sharpest video games of his occupation to attain the disappointed in Columbus. 

Laken Litman: It’s Ohio Order’s first competition again since Ryan Life’s rant towards Lou Holtz following a dramatic win over Notre Dame. Ultimate life’s bye got here at the easiest future, permitting Life to chill off and Marvin Harrison Jr. to get well from a sprained ankle.

The unbeaten Buckeyes have two extra video games till the gigantic one on Oct. 21 after they host Penn Order, however can’t fail to remember undefeated Maryland, which is new off a dominant 44-17 win over Indiana. However do the Terrapins in fact have a anticipation at an disappointed? That is determined by a couple of issues, together with how Tagovailoa plays. In his faculty occupation, Tagovailoa hasn’t fared neatly towards the Obese Ten’s height groups. Alternatively, he has some momentum nearest going 24-of-34 for 352 yards and 5 touchdowns towards the Hoosiers latter life. 5 video games in, he’s a top-20 quarterback and has handed for 1,464 yards with 13 overall touchdowns to simply 3 interceptions.

In the meantime, it is going to be fascinating to peer how Ohio Order quarterback Kyle McCord follows up his exciting efficiency towards the Combating Irish from two weeks in the past. Does he stock bettering because the season progresses and the video games get extra remarkable? That might be key for the Buckeyes if they’re to contend for a Obese Ten identify and Faculty Soccer Playoff berth this 12 months.

Bryan Fischer: As I wrote on Monday, that is Maryland’s excellent alternative to knock off a crew like Ohio Order — in all probability ever. The Buckeyes are an ideal 8-0 towards the Terps all-time, however that is essentially the most suspect that we’ve evident this system in recent times, particularly at the offensive aspect of the ball. OSU is thirty eighth within the nation in scoring, the offensive layout isn’t anyplace alike to what we’re worn to perceptible out of that unit, and it says enough that McCord enters because the second-best quarterback within the competition.

Now, those are all problems stemming from the aspect of the ball head schoolteacher Ryan Life has a area of expertise in, so this Obese Midday Saturday matchup do business in the tantalizing storyline of both Ohio Order the use of that win over Notre Dame (blended with an off life) to springboard right into a extra cohesive offensive assault … or effort at house in convention play games to reconfirm the entire fan bottom’s worries. I’m no longer satisfied Maryland’s secondary is supplied to include an assault that includes Harrison, Emeka Egbuka and Cade Stover (amongst others), however it’s on McCord to appear sharper and accident the ones guys for some gigantic performs or else there might be a minute restlessness in Columbus.

As for Mike Locksley, that is his gigantic alternative to carry this system to the nearest step in the case of Obese Ten competition. His crew’s time table has been luminous up to now however to have your first 5-0 get started since 2001 (and each and every victory come by means of no less than 18 issues) continues to be an noteceable solution to deal trade. Tagovailoa has been finest, and his ability place avid gamers could be the most efficient within the league outdoor the East Section’s gigantic 3 of OSU/Michigan/Penn Order. They’re going up towards a protection that has been incredible at fighting the gigantic play games and has allowed simply 34 issues overall, so it’s a stiff problem — however one that may give us an excessively correct measuring stick as to what sort of proceed this crew is in reality making in 2023.

Incorrect. 12 Oklahoma vs. Incorrect. 3 Texas in Dallas (Midday ET)

Laken: There’s a robust risk that this 12 months’s rendition of the Crimson River Competition looks as if the great outdated showdowns from the moment. Texas and Oklahoma, who’re each retirement the Obese 12 nearest 12 months for the SEC, input this competition with 5-0 data for the primary future since 2008. And for those who consider appropriately, that 12 months’s hit used to be an absolute mystery that the Longhorns ended up profitable 45-35. It’s additionally the primary future that each groups are unbeaten since 2011. And that 12 months, the Sooners pummeled the Horns, 55-17.

It is a immense alternative for Texas to end up that during Steve Sarkisian’s 3rd season, they’re the true do business in. Or as some may like to mention, “back.” A robust efficiency right here by means of quarterback Quinn Ewers & Co. and the Longhorns may just rather well be on their solution to their first Obese 12 identify since 2009, and perhaps even a primary shuttle to the CFP.

Ultimate 12 months, Texas remorseful the you-know-what out of its rival, profitable 49-0. It’s truthful to think OU might be out for revenge nearest that rebuilding 12 months in schoolteacher Brent Venables’ first season. QB Dillon Gabriel leads one of the vital explosive offenses within the nation (47.4 issues consistent with competition), pace Venables’ protection — created by the use of the switch portal — can provide up a couple of seems that may simply catch the Horns off preserve.

This matchup already has the makings of an fast vintage.

Bryan: That is every year considered one of my favourite video games of the 12 months, however it’s reputedly been a pace since Crimson River has carried the load of this 12 months’s combat for each side. For Texas, the trail to the Faculty Soccer Playoff is amply cloudless for a program development towards this week, and a 6-0 get started for the primary future since 2009 would underscore the ones ambitions in the event that they progress out of the String Bowl with blonde hat in hand. For Oklahoma, the stakes are extra reputational: those Sooners want to end up that they’re again a number of the society’s elite nearest a brief dip in Brent Venables’ first season.

As a result of it is a competition competition the place the surprising turns out to change into common, I’m taking note of two gardens. The primary is evident: the quarterbacks. Whichever of Ewers or Gabriel can keep away from the expensive surrender pace nonetheless embodying the gunslinger ethos each and every turns out to have will most likely end up decisive on this one. Moreover, the Longhorns have a immense edge within the trenches and I believe again to the SMU competition and miracle if Oklahoma is as much as the duty to battle that. The Sooners struggled for stretches towards the Mustangs a couple of weeks in the past and also have to stand a crew that simply manhandled Alabama in Tuscaloosa. If I’m Venables, that’s preserving me up at night time greater than seeking to barricade big-play machines like Xavier Valuable and Adonai Mitchell. 

Michael: What a competition this will have to be as each Oklahoma and Texas input the 119th version of the Crimson River Showdown unbeaten for the primary future since 2011. Led by means of Ewers, the Longhorns’ offense appeased legions of doubters latter time by means of striking 454 yards of overall offense and 34 issues on mighty Alabama in a admirable street win that rest probably the greatest victories in faculty soccer this season. This weekend do business in a anticipation for Oklahoma’s offense, anchored by means of standout quarterback Gabriel, to do the similar. Sure, the Sooners rank Incorrect. 9 nationally in overall offense (510 yards consistent with competition) and 7th nationally in passing offense (352.4 yards consistent with competition), however a few of the ones numbers have been inflated by means of electrical performances towards sub-100 defenses from Arkansas Order and Tulsa — two groups that yielded 729 blended passing yards to Gabriel. Texas has the athletes to compete with the Sooners in any respect 3 ranges. Can Gabriel nonetheless resolution the bell?

Incorrect. 11 Alabama at Texas A&M (3:30 p.m. ET)

Bryan: Every now and then the sport of school soccer may also be tough, and infrequently it may be simple. In relation to this SEC show off, it looks like issues are very a lot the last on the subject of breaking issues indisposed: both the quarterbacks deal the ball and travel the offense successfully plenty to attain no less than 3 touchdowns — or they don’t. There might be enough made from the training matchup between Nick Saban and his former colleague Jimbo Fisher (whom he’s 5-1 towards), the order at Kyle Farmland, and one of the crucial ridiculous playmakers concerned on this one. However there might be greater inquiries to be requested in a while relating to a possible sliding doorways week for each techniques however for now, the effectiveness of the 2 quite middling QBs concerned on this one will decide the result above all else.

Michael: Ever since Saban named Jalen Milroe the founding quarterback following a middling efficiency from backups Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner in Occasion 3, the Pink Stream have achieved an finest task tailoring their offensive competition plan to Milroe’s ability i’m ready. Extra of a dual-threat participant than a natural thrower, Milroe has finished 27 of his latter 33 passes (81.8%) for 389 yards, one landing and one interception to journey along side 97 speeding yards and two rankings in wins over Incorrect. 15 Ole Leave out and Mississippi Order. He’s reached that point of potency by means of capitalizing on blank wallet and making high-percentage throws. When the patch used to be blank towards Ole Leave out, Milroe finished 15 of 17 makes an attempt with a mean intensity of simply 7.1 yards consistent with goal. When he used to be blank towards Mississippi Order, Milroe finished 7 of 8 passes with a mean intensity of eleven.8 yards consistent with goal. In alternative phrases, Saban’s training body of workers is successfully simplifying the sport for his or her quarterback. It’s a recipe that are meant to paintings once more this weekend.

Laken: Next a shaky get started it looks as if Alabama is discovering some consistency as we way the midpoint of the season. Milroe, regardless that he simplest tried 12 passes, used to be secure and environment friendly and the protection won some self assurance, tallying 4 sacks.

It’s all the time a a laugh future when Saban and Fisher journey head-to-head, however this competition is particularly remarkable if Bama goes to assemble a run to the four-team playoff. Presently, Saban’s crew is sitting on only one non-conference loss (to Texas), and a two-loss crew has but to assemble the CFP ground. So this one for sure has long-term implications, particularly given what’s left on their time table: later house video games towards Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU and street journeys to Kentucky and Auburn.

Incorrect. 13 Washington Order at UCLA (3 p.m. ET)

Bryan: That is all the time a captivating competition as a result of Wazzu recruits so closely indisposed in Southern California, so there are enough of avid gamers who will assemble this up a little bit greater than a common convention competition – doubly so on Saturday given the possibility of it being the latter shuttle for the Cougars to the Rose Bowl for years yet to come. That sense of over-eagerness might be one thing to stock an sight on early in what’s shaping as much as be a competition that may in reality reconfirm simply how just right the winner is up to cries into query how mediocre the loser in reality is. It will not be a ranked-vs-ranked matchup, however it in reality looks like a key separator within the convention race.

Past that, the offensive-defensive chess fit goes to be use the cost of admission. Chip Kelly and his younger protégé signal-caller Dante Moore were superior at blending up photographs indisposed the ground with the Bruins’ standard efficient speeding offense and might be going up towards probably the most excellent at scheming up techniques to remove luck in Jake Dickert. The turn aspect is that QB Cam Ward and OC Ben Arbuckle might be taking up a UCLA protection that leads the %-12 in scoring and has pressured a surrender in seven video games working. Issues don’t get a lot more a laugh than that.

Michael: In a convention that’s completely loaded with high-level quarterbacks — from Caleb Williams at USC to Bo Nix at Oregon, from Michael Penix Jr. at Washington to Shedeur Sanders at Colorado — the early season efficiency by means of Ward merits some laurels. Ward, who started his collegiate occupation at FCS Incarnate Contract, now ranks a number of the height 11 nationally in finishing touch proportion (74.5%), landing passes (13), passing yards (347.3 consistent with competition), and interceptions (0) because the Cougars have raced to a 4-0 get started for the primary future since 2017. A 0-star chance from Columbia Prime Faculty in West Columbia, Texas, Ward dedicated to Incarnate Contract over Texas Southern, which used to be the one alternative program to deal him a scholarship, consistent with 247Sports. His precipitous development from Future 1 at Washington Order in 2022 (3,231 yards; 23 touchdowns; 9 INTs) to the current makes Ward probably the most excellent tales in faculty soccer this season.

Laken: It’s been an rapidly thrilling 12 months within the %-12, and that’s due partially to all of the proficient quarterbacks striking up stellar stats so early on within the season. A kind of QBs is Ward, who leads one of the vital explosive offenses within the nation (45.8 PPG). Ward, who has but to throw an interception this 12 months, has the Cougars ranked Incorrect. 2 nationally in passing offense (405.8 YPG) — simply in the back of rival Washington.

The latter future we noticed UCLA — the Bruins are coming off an inactive life — used to be a 14-7 loss to Utah. The energy of Chip Kelly’s crew is in its protection, in particular, the go quicken, the place senior edge Laiatu Lato has 4 sacks in 4 video games (plus a pressured fumble and an interception). That might be an shrewd game-within-the-game nugget to stock an sight on because the Cougars struggle to saving their undefeated streak. 

UCF at Kansas (4 p.m. ET on FOX)

Michael: For the second one consecutive season in head schoolteacher Lance Leipold’s rebuild at Kansas, the Jayhawks’ ceiling is at once fix to the condition of big name quarterback Jalon Daniels, a dynamic dual-threat participant. In 2022, Daniels propelled Kansas to a 5-0 get started by means of throwing for 983 yards, working for 329 yards, and accounting for 16 touchdowns prior to struggling an trauma that restricted him to simply 27 snaps from Occasion 6 to Occasion 11. This season, Daniels overlooked Occasion 1 however in an instant rounded into mode by means of guiding the Jayhawks to wins over Illinois, Nevada and Brigham Younger with alike ranges of explosiveness: 705 passing yards, 74 speeding yards, 5 touchdowns, and only one interception. However a again trauma sidelined Daniels for latter Saturday’s extremely expected showdown towards Texas, which the Jayhawks misplaced, 40-14, and he overlooked some observe future previous this life forward of the later pace with Central Florida. It’ll be some other uphill battle for Kansas if Daniels is unavailable or compromised as Obese 12 play games continues.

Laken: It is a matchup between two groups reeling from losses. Kansas suffered a 40-14 loss to Texas in Austin a life in the past, pace UCF allowed Baylor to return again and beat them 36-35 nearest keeping a 35-7 top in its first Obese 12 house competition.

Knights schoolteacher Gus Malzahn mentioned this life that his crew has “a lot of guys banged up” from that competition, so they are going to be getting into a street shuttle with no handful of playmakers. For the Jayhawks, it’s a anticipation to regroup nearest its first lack of the 12 months. Nevertheless it’s unknown at the moment if Daniels might be again nearest lacking latter life’s competition with an trauma. He didn’t observe on Monday or Tuesday of this life, because of this at the moment, additional Jason Bean — who went 9-of-21 for 136 yards and a landing vs. Texas — is the man.

Bryan: Clearly, there’s a tad little bit of morbid interest in perceptible how UCF goes to get off the mat nearest gifting away this system’s first Obese 12 victory in gut-wrenching type latter life towards Baylor. Will the protection that allowed that comeback to occur be flight round seeking to do excess, or will they play games throughout the gadget to play games like they’d been maximum of this season? Can Malzahn rebuild his avid gamers’ self assurance on the similar future he tries to get the offense running a lot more cohesively?

I’m additionally hopeful that we will be able to see Daniels again and alike to being the Obese 12 Offensive Participant of the Future that we all know he’s able to being. Bean is way more provided to top the Jayhawks to a victory at house towards probably the most Obese 12 newbies than he used to be towards Texas in Austin, however having the founding quarterback again within the line might be use preserving an sight on given the spice up that Daniels is between the strains. 

Incorrect. 20 Kentucky at Incorrect. 1 Georgia (7 p.m. ET)

Laken: May this in spite of everything be the life that Georgia is ousted from its spot on the height of the scores? Next a slim win over Auburn latter life and a alike name vs. South Carolina a couple of video games in the past, Georgia is taking a look beatable. Possibly Mark Stoops’ Kentucky crew would be the one to tumble the two-time reigning nationwide champs and finish their 22-game profitable streak. It’s for sure imaginable, particularly given the momentum the Wildcats have nearest beating up on Florida a life in the past. UK enters the matchup undefeated with a balanced offense hungry to drag an disappointed at the street.

Bryan: Did anyone be expecting the SEC East to have all of the league’s undefeated groups at this level within the season? Pace we’ll see how Missouri fares in its assembly with LSU, this Kentucky shuttle to Georgia turns out adore it’s getting to let us know the reality about simply how just right the Bulldogs are this season outdoor the truth that Brock Bowers is the most efficient tight finish within the nation. I’ve no longer been that inspired with Kirby Canny’s protection in spite of the numbers (Incorrect. 1 in scoring protection within the SEC, 14th nationally) and it looks like that entrance seven is in reality getting to be challenged for the primary future in ages with Ray Davis (148 scrimmage yards consistent with competition) and a trait offensive layout coming to the town. The Wildcats are also i’m ready to deal up the stiffest check for QB Carson Beck and a Mike Bobo-led offense that also has but to click on for 4 quarters.

Had this competition been in Lexington, and had the passing offense below Devin Leary clicked a minute extra in earlier outings, I’d have given UK a a lot better shot to crack UGA’s 21-game common season convention profitable streak. As it’s between the hedges, issues are a quantity tougher for the guests in blue — however it would finally end up being relatively a revealing end result for probably the most league’s simplest viable playoff contenders all of the similar. 

Michael: What higher future than the existing for Stoops to earn a signature win in his eleventh 12 months with the Wildcats? The 56-year-old schoolteacher has authored six seasons of seven-plus wins at Kentucky — and with a 5-0 report up to now, he’s neatly on his solution to a 7th — however the Wildcats have by no means overwhelmed a top-five opponent all the way through his tenure. In all probability that may trade this weekend as Kentucky makes an attempt to disappointed the Incorrect. 1 crew within the nation for the primary future since knocking off top-ranked LSU in 2007. Georgia enters the weekend with the longest profitable streak in faculty soccer at 22 video games, however the Bulldogs have trailed all the way through the second one part in two in their latter 3 contests. They wanted 10 fourth-quarter issues to tumble Auburn latter life and 21 unanswered issues to upend South Carolina two weeks prior. A 3rd consecutive sluggish get started may just charm doom towards a balanced Kentucky crew ranked fix for twenty first in scoring offense (37 issues consistent with competition) and twentieth in scoring protection (15.2 issues consistent with competition). 

Do you wish to have extra superior tales delivered proper to you? Right here’s how you’ll build or timber in for your FOX Sports activities account, practice your favourite leagues, groups and avid gamers and obtain a customized e-newsletter to your inbox day by day.

Michael Cohen covers faculty soccer and basketball for FOX Sports activities with an emphasis at the Obese Ten. Observe him on Twitter at @Michael_Cohen13.

Laken Litman covers faculty soccer, faculty basketball and football for FOX Sports activities. She in the past wrote for Sports activities Illustrated, USA As of late and The Indianapolis Famous person. She is the writer of “Strong Like a Woman,” revealed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth annualannually of Name IX. Observe her on Twitter @LakenLitman.

RJ Younger is a countrywide faculty soccer editor and analyst for FOX Sports activities and the host of the podcast “The Number One College Football Show.” Observe him on Twitter at @RJ_Young and subscribe to “The RJ Young Show” on YouTube.

Bryan Fischer is a faculty soccer editor for FOX Sports activities. He has been masking faculty athletics for almost twenty years at retailers comparable to NBC Sports activities, CBS Sports activities, Yahoo! Sports activities and NFL.com amongst others. Observe him on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.

---

---