Ohio State defeated Northwestern 31-7, moving to 9-1, enters its most important stretch of the season against No. 5 Indiana and Michigan.

Dear Fellow Buckeyes,

Fly the W. Ohio State improved to 9-1 with a 31-7 victory over Northwestern at Wrigley Field. The Buckeyes started slow offensively and defensively but quickly turned it around in the second quarter. Ryan Day’s team controlled the game from that point forward as Carnell Tate had one of the best performances of his career in his hometown. 

Last week, we talked about Ohio State peaking at the right time in November, heading into the final stretch run chasing its goals. That time has officially arrived, as each subsequent game brings increased stakes. 

Many dynamics about playing the Wildcats boded a “trap game” or a “look ahead” spot for the Buckeyes. However, the Scarlet and Gray stayed focused and executed despite the early kickoff (11 a.m. local), baseball stadium venue, and new turf, with Top-5 Indiana and Michigan ahead on the schedule. 

Will Howard continues to be accurate with the football, and his downfield passing abilities took another step forward. TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins had solid contests and were reliable playmakers regardless of what they were asked to do in a given play. 

Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and Gee Scott on the perimeter make the offense extremely difficult to stop, as at least two earn single coverage on a given play. Smith is a problem in space, and Egbuka is a Swiss Army knife receiver. Both will be focal points over the next two months. 

It’s not new news to say Caleb Downs is the best open-field tackler in College Football or an incredible downhill player. He reinforces those statements every single game. Bringing in Downs was part of what moved Sonny Styles to linebacker. Now that Styles is acclimated to the position, he is an absolute game-wrecking force. 

No. 6 played one of his best games for the Buckeyes on Saturday, and if that’s his trajectory, we’re in the making for a special player. Styles recorded two sacks and TFLs as well as batted down a pair of passes while notching six tackles. He made an impact all over the field alongside Arvell Reese and Cody Simon. 

The biggest indicator of the Silver Bullets rounding into form is the elevated play of the linebackers. As the unit improves, so does the ceiling of the defense. Jim Knowles will have his hands full this week as the high-powered Indiana Hoosier offense comes to town.