It’s time to put the pads on after being off for a couple of weeks. Ohio State is traveling to the Windy City to try and blow away the Northwestern Wildcats in a funky Friday night game.
It’s the second night game in a row for the Buckeyes, but the first away night game so there’s sure to be some conjuring of away games at night gone bad over the last couple of years (Iowa and Purdue anyone?)
Can Ohio State keep it rolling, or will Northwestern find a way to rise up like it’s done in the past?
As we do every week, we give a few of our staff members the floor with predictions for the game. So, here it goes …
Next … the predictions
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
Ohio State 34, Northwestern 13
Northwestern will keep it close for awhile as Ohio State struggles to be patient enough to take what the Wildcat defense gives it. In the end though, Northwestern will wear down on defense, and there’s just not enough offensive firepower to stay in shouting distance.
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
Ohio State 54, Northwestern 10
The Buckeyes should score at will and make life pretty difficult on the Wildcat offense.
Night games on the road always make me a little nervous. Night games on the road and on a Friday night? Well, that just adds to the anxiety. But I just don’t believe the Wildcats have the firepower to keep this one competitive.
Contact/Follow Brent Reeves
Ohio State 45, Northwestern 6
Defense flexes it’s muscles against a Northwestern offense that lacks real playmaking ability. Northwestern gives the Buckeyes offense a little trouble early but, as usual, they adjust and start rolling on this football Friday.
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
Ohio State 45, Northwestern 14
I’ll be the first to say that college football on a Friday is ridiculous. Friday’s are meant for high school football and that’s it!
Ok, now that I got that out of the way, I’m a little worried because it is a Friday game, but not enough to where it causes me great concern. Northwestern offense is just bad, let’s just call it was it is. The Wildcats, despite allowing just 19 points a game, are scoring 14 points offensively. I get they held Wisconsin to 24, but Wisconsin isn’t Ohio State.
The Buckeyes can spread the ball around and the Wildcats can’t focus on just one player (like Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor). Too many weapons, too much depth.
Contact/Follow Samuel Baum
Ohio State 42, Northwestern 10
The lack of offense for Northwestern and the dominant defense from Ohio State will be the difference.
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