Before every game, we provide a preview of Ohio State football’s opponent for the upcoming week. It’s a twelve game slate to the regular season, so there’s plenty to talk about, and plenty of opponents to get up to speed on.
So, if you want to impress your friends while watching the game, we’ve got your cheat code right here. We do the research, you drop nuggets. You win on Saturdays (or in this case Friday). It’s as simple as that.
Ohio State’s seventh game of the year is against those smart cookies from Northwestern. It’s been a bit of a down year in Evanston after winning the Big Ten West just a year ago. The purple clad warriors would love nothing more than to beat an Ohio State team firing on all-cylinders to try and turn the season around.
Next … Northwestern all-time vitals
Northwestern Record
(1-4); Last Week: Off, lost to Nebraska 13-10 last game
All-Time Record vs. Ohio State
14-62-1 (.188) – Ouch!
All-Time Vitals
Record: 546-669-44 , No. 112 All-Time
National Championships: None
Conference Championships: 8, No. 79 All-Time
Bowl Games: 14, No. 72 All-Time
Bowl Record: 5-10, No. 92 All-Time
Consensus All-Americans: 13, No. 43 All-Time
Heisman Winners: None
NFL Draft Picks: 181, No. 49 All-Time
Best All-Time Season
1995 – Gary Barnett’s squad was one of the most pleasant surprises in college football in 1995. Fresh off of a 3-7-1 season, the Wildcats upset No. 9 Notre Dame in the season opener. They followed that up with a head-scratching loss to Miami (OH) before reeling off nine straight wins en route to the Big Ten championship. While Northwestern didn’t win the Rose Bowl, it finished the year ranked eighth in the nation — its best showing in the modern era.
Best Player Of All-Time
Justin Jackson, RB, 2016 – While Jackson is clearly the best player, his best season is a tough call. After all, he rushed for 1,100+ yards in each of his four years, eclipsing the 1,300-yard barrier in each of his final three campaigns. Statistically speaking, the 2016 season was his best. He ran for a career-high 1,524 yards (5.1 ypc), while catching 35 passes for 219 yards.
Next … Head coach, offensive and defensive styles
Current Head Coach
Pat Fitzgerald – 97-73 in 14 seasons at Northwestern.
Offensive Style
Let’s call a spade a spade. This Northwestern offense has been atrocious in 2019. It ranks among the worst in all of FBS in almost every major category. It tries to be a balanced one that likes to establish the run first, but has often had to abandon that game plan and start slinging it around after falling behind. The offense will use multiple sets but mostly operate out of a spread attack. It just doesn’t have the personnel or skill to be that effective.
Defensive Style
Defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz is one of the best in the business. Sure, his defense might not produce a lot of negative plays, but it gets the job done where it matters most. The defense is one that will utilize a ton of zone and try to limit the big play by keeping everything in front and in the middle of the field. Ohio State will have to be patient and surgical to move the ball. It’s a well coached unit that typically tackles well.
Next … Player to watch and the Wildcat’s chances
Northwestern player to watch
Drake Anderson, RB — There’s not a whole lot going right on the offensive side of the ball, but Anderson is the team’s best option to try and move the chains. He’s only managed 366 total yards on the ground so far this year, but he’s averaging almost 5.0 yard per carry. He just doesn’t get enough opportunities. The Ohio State coaches know how challenged Northwestern has been throwing the ball, so you can bet the defense will key on him.
Northwestern Can Win The Game If …
…it can create a lot of turnovers.
Barring a miraculous turnaround in execution and skill, there’s just no way the Wildcat offense can trade punches with the Ohio State one. To stay in the game, the Northwestern defense will need to create turnovers to limit the touches of the Buckeye offense, and to provide solid field position for its own. If it can maximize opportunities and score when given the chance it can hang in and hope to steal the game at the end in front of the home crowd.
