No. 2 Ohio State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten, No. 2 CFP) is set to face off against Northwestern (4-5, 2-4) at Wrigley Field on Saturday at 12 p.m. EST, airing on the Big Ten Network.
BetMGM has placed the odds in favor of Ohio State by 28 ½ points.
In terms of the historical matchup, Ohio State leads the series with 65 wins, 14 losses, and 1 tie.
The stakes are high for Ohio State as they strive to stay in contention for the national championship.
With a single loss to current No. 1 Oregon, the Buckeyes have rebounded impressively, notching three consecutive victories, including a significant win against Penn State and a dominating 45-0 triumph over Purdue last week.
For Northwestern, this game will serve as their first appearance at Wrigley Field, and they are returning from a bye following a hard-fought 26-20 overtime win against Purdue.
A key aspect of this matchup will be the effectiveness of Ohio State’s passing game against Northwestern’s secondary.
Quarterback Will Howard has demonstrated his prowess, throwing for three touchdowns and adding another score on the ground in last week’s game while completing 21 of 26 passes for 260 yards.
Currently ranked second nationally in completion percentage, Howard is also third in passing efficiency.
Northwestern’s defense has struggled against the pass, sitting at the lower end of the Big Ten rankings, although Theran Johnson has stood out by leading the conference with 10 passes defended.
Players to keep an eye on include Ohio State’s wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who recently broke additional records by catching his ninth touchdown pass, making him the fresh record holder for receptions (45) and receiving yards (765) for the university.
He surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter’s previous freshman records from 1984.
For Northwestern, running back Joseph Himon II is one to watch as well; he managed to score two touchdowns on just nine touches against Purdue two weeks ago, including a notable 51-yard run in the first quarter and a clutch game-ending touchdown reception.
His overall stats included six carries for 78 yards and three catches for 34 yards.
In terms of interesting facts, this upcoming game will mark the first time Ohio State plays at Wrigley Field, and they are on a 10-game winning streak against Northwestern, refusing to lose since a narrow 33-27 overtime defeat in 2004.
This will also be their fifth consecutive clash away from their home field.
The only prior encounter between Ohio State and Northwestern in a major league baseball stadium occurred in 1991 when the Buckeyes claimed a 34-3 victory at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, which was technically a home game for the Wildcats.
Additionally, Ohio State boasts the nation’s top-ranked defense, adding another layer of challenge for Northwestern as they navigate this pivotal game.