The Ohio State football team travels to Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois, for a matchup with the Northwestern Wildcats.

The Buckeyes enter week 10 of the college football season at 8-0, following a momentous defeat of #13 Penn State. This will be only the 3rd time on the road for Ohio State this season. While a 1-7 Wildcat team doesn’t pose much of a threat, the Buckeyes’ biggest battle will be mentality. With the potential for nasty weather, rain and heavy winds, the Buckeyes must remain focused and avoid any complacency.

Kickoff is again set for noon with coverage taking place on ABC. The Buckeyes are currently a 38-point favorite, despite the prediction of 30-40 mph winds.

PREVIEW:

The history of this matchup has been anything but even, with Northwestern only notching 1 victory since 1971. Ohio State has won 64 of the 79 total meetings and holds a 9-game winning streak. However, 2 of their recent meetings have occurred in the Big Ten Championship (2018, 2020) hinting at recent success for the Wildcat program.

Ohio State enters on a massive high after putting together a late game rally to defeat Penn State in Happy Valley. While the Wildcats enter on a 7-game losing streak, failing to win since their season-opener against Nebraska.

The good news for Northwestern is that Ohio State may be without Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Miyan Williams. The bad news, those injuries haven’t hindered the Buckeyes from offensive success. Led by Heisman front-runner CJ Stroud the offense continues to find success through the air and even gained some traction on the ground against a stout Penn State run defense.

On the other side of the ball, the defense continues to play at a top-10 level. Tuimoloau, Eichenberg, and Harrison continue to play like beasts under Jim Knowles’ defensive schemes. Now that the turnovers have started to come in bunches, this defense has only grown more confident and dangerous.

Additionally, Ohio State has score 20 or more points in its last 69 games, tying an FBS record (Oklahoma). Saturday’s matchup affords the Buckeyes the opportunity to claim the record all alone.

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

Feature image: Barry Reeger, AP Photo