Ohio State Buckeyes (7-1) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (4-5)
November 16, 2024 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Northwestern Wildcats +29.5 / Ohio State Buckeyes -29.5; Over/Under: +43.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Ohio State Buckeyes and Northwestern Wildcats meet Saturday in week 12 college football action at Wrigley Field. Here’s a Northwestern vs Ohio State Prediction. This article will include a Northwestern vs Ohio State Pick.
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview
The Ohio State Buckeyes beat Penn State and Purdue, and they play Indiana next. The Ohio State Buckeyes have won 7 of their last 9 road games. Will Howard is completing 74 percent of his passes for 2,237 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka have combined for 1,352 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, while Carnell Tate has 27 receptions.
The Ohio State Buckeyes ground game is averaging 185 yards per contest, and Quinshon Judkins leads the way with 647 yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, Ohio State is allowing 10.7 points and 250.8 yards per game. Sonny Styles leads the Ohio State Buckeyes with 57 tackles, JT Tuimoloau has 5 sacks and Denzel Burke has 2 interceptions.
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
The Northwestern Wildcats lost to Iowa, beat Purdue, and they play Michigan next. The Northwestern Wildcats have lost 3 of their last 4 home games. Jack Lausch is completing 53.6 percent of his passes for 1,120 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. A.J. Henning and Bryce Kirtz have combined for 840 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Thomas Gordon has 18 receptions.
The Northwestern Wildcats ground game is averaging 112.1 yards per contest, and Cam Porter leads the way with 387 yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, Northwestern is allowing 21.9 points and 349.2 yards per game. Mac Uihlein leads the Northwestern Wildcats with 58 tackles, Aidan Hubbard has 4 sacks and Theran Johnson has 2 interceptions.
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win
- Ohio State has won each of its last 46 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Northwestern has lost each of its last nine games against AP-ranked teams.
- Ohio State has covered the spread in each of its last four November games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four home games.
- Ohio State has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
- Ohio State has won the first half in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Ohio State’s last four games against non-AP-ranked teams has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of Northwestern’s last six games against top-15 AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Northwestern ranks 131st among FBS teams for yards per game this season (288.1).
- Northwestern ranks 128th among FBS teams for 1st downs this season (139).
- Ohio State ranks 1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (1.0).
- Ohio State ranks 1st among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (3.8).
Northwestern vs Ohio State Prediction
The Northwestern Wildcats put up a fight in the past two meetings against Ohio State, but those teams were far and away better than this year’s version. Northwestern competes defensively, but the offense is 131st in total offense and 120th in scoring offense. I’m honestly not sure how Northwestern is going to score in this contest. Ohio State just beat Purdue 45-0, and we should see a similar effort in this contest. Give me the Buckeyes in a road beat down.
