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tOSU @ Northwestern, Sat Nov 5, 12pm, ABC

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In regards to preparing for the potentially rainy weather, Day emphasized that the Buckeyes have seen similar conditions during practice — noting that they’ve made it a point to practice in the elements in order to be prepared for adverse weather in games.

“In terms of the wind, we practice in the wind. It’s been very windy the last few weeks (in Columbus), we’ve had some really windy days,” Day said. “We played the game up in East Lansing, Mich., and it was around 20 to 22 mile per hour winds at times. This one is calling for more than that so we’ll have to adjust. But, we’ve practiced in that weather.

“This week, in terms of the rain, we do have wet ball drills where we squirt water on the ball before the snap just to get that feel for it,” he continued. “We also practice in the elements, so when days like this come up then we’re able to handle it.”
 
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“THE BIGGEST THING IS WE JUST HAVE TO HANDLE IT BETTER THAN OUR OPPONENT, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT AS WELL. AND IF IT'S EXTREME, THEN WE HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.”– RYAN DAY ON THE POTENTIAL FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER

CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER VS. CELLAR-DWELLER

Ohio State and Northwestern find themselves in polar opposite positions entering this week’s game.

The Buckeyes are 8-0, the second-ranked team in the country, tied for the Big Ten East lead and ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense (2nd), total offense (6th), total defense (6th) and scoring defense (10th). Northwestern is 1-7, dead last in the conference standings and ranks 83rd in scoring defense, 90th in total offense, 94th in total defense and 120th in scoring offense.

Northwestern hasn’t won a game in more than two months and has yet to earn a victory on American soil this season, as its only win came in Week 0 when it earned a 31-28 win over Nebraska in Dublin. The Wildcats went 0-3 in non-conference play against Duke, Southern Illinois (an FCS school) and Miami (Ohio) and have since lost four straight conference games against Penn State, Wisconsin, Maryland and Iowa.

Their most recent result was as ugly as any of them, as they allowed Iowa – who has averaged only 16.4 points and 248.6 yards per game this season – to score 33 points on 398 yards.

Northwestern has given Ohio State some competitive matchups in the past, most recently in the 2020 Big Ten Championship Game, when the Wildcats held a 10-6 lead at halftime before the Buckeyes scored 16 unanswered points in the second half. However, this year’s Northwestern squad has shown none of the competitiveness that the Big Ten West-winning Wildcat team did.




  1. The Ohio State running game vs. Northwestern’s defense
  2. The Ohio State defensive line vs. Northwestern’s running game
  3. Will we see more of the backups?\
At 1-7, Northwestern is looking at a long offseason of probable coaching turnover. The Wildcats have not been the same since their shot at glory against Ohio State in the 2020 B1G Championship Game, and Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald may start to feel the heat from angry Wildcats supporters. Iowa dominated Northwestern 33-13 last week, and Ohio State had no problems with shutting down the Hawkeyes offensively. Northwestern just does not have the players to keep pace against a deeper and more talented Ohio State team. I have it Ohio State 56, Northwestern 7.



PREDICTION:

Unless the Buckeyes beat themselves this shouldn’t be much a contest. Northwestern’s offense, as poor as it is, is sure to struggle against the Buckeye defense. This is a recipe for disaster since their defense just allowed 33 to Iowa, who Ohio State held to 10. Let alone the fact the Buckeyes average nearly 49 PPG while NW sits at 18.

Final: 45-3, Ohio State
 
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