Ohio State is back in Columbus on Saturday, and the Buckeyes are trying to stop the slide after suffering their first back-to-back losses since 2011. The last two weeks have been ugly enough to raise real questions, with a sloppy, unprepared performance at USC followed by another baffling loss to Oregon in the Shoe.
Now comes Northwestern, and the assignment is simple: win. Ohio State still has a very slim path to the Big Ten Championship game and a possible College Football Playoff berth, but none of that matters if the Buckeyes don’t take care of business here. Oddsmakers have Ohio State favored by a couple of scores, but the real issue is whether the offense can clean up its execution and hit the keys it needs to hit.
With that in mind, the Buckeyes Wire staff weighed in on the matchup, and the picks lean toward Ohio State getting back on track.
Phil Harrison sees a Buckeye response coming, even if it isn’t perfectly smooth. He pointed to the time it has taken to sort things out with Julian Sayin shelved, but believes Ohio State has had enough time to learn from the Oregon loss.
In his view, the staff will find ways to get Jeremiah Smith involved, and the defense will show more aggression with designed pressure packages. Harrison expects some messy stretches, but thinks the talent gap will carry Ohio State through.
Score Prediction: Ohio State 28, Northwestern 17
Mark Russell also has Ohio State winning, though he framed the recent stretch in harsher terms. He wrote that the Buckeyes have looked more like a pretender than a contender lately, but said they are still alive in the race if things break right.
For that to remain true, Ohio State has to keep winning, and Northwestern is the kind of opponent that should help. Russell also noted that the Wildcats will be without quarterback Aiden Chiles, which should ease the burden on a defense that has been struggling.
Score Prediction: Ohio State 31, Northwestern 17
Alec Lasley asked the obvious question: can Ohio State finally put together a full 60 minutes? He said the Buckeyes haven’t done that in recent weeks, and really not much this season.
Lasley also called it start three for Luke Fahey and said it’s time for another step forward in his development. After the discussion about Jeremiah Smith’s lack of touches last week, Lasley expects Ohio State to feature him early and often against Northwestern.
On the other side, he sees Aiden Chiles’ absence as a major boost for a defense that needs one, giving Matt Patricia a chance to bring more pressure and build some momentum.
Score Prediction: Ohio State 24, Northwestern 13
Prediction summary: Phil Harrison | Ohio State 28, Northwestern 17
Mark Russell | Ohio State 31, Northwestern 17
Alec Lasley | Ohio State 24, Northwestern 13
In Other News...
Desmond Howard Took Another Shot At Jeremiah Smith And Buckeyes Fans Wont Like It
Desmond Howard stirred the pot again on First Take, taking aim at Jeremiah Smith and suggesting the Ohio State receiver has not delivered decisive moments in big games over the past two years. It is the kind of criticism that lands loudly in Columbus, especially with Smith already carrying the kind of national profile that makes every comment about him feel bigger than it should.
The pushback is easy to find in Ohio States own recent games, from Smiths game-winning touchdown against Indiana to a strong showing against Iowa that featured key receptions and scores. Even with the Buckeyes College Football Playoff path still uncertain, Smith remains one of the sports top Heisman Trophy candidates, which is exactly why any fresh swipe at his big-game rsum is going to get noticed. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Faces A Bigger Problem Than Just Beating Northwestern
Ohio State heads into its game against Northwestern with more than just a must-win result hanging over the week. Ranked No. 20 in the College Football Playoff standings, the Buckeyes need to keep stacking victories to stay in the conversation, but the larger issue has been how uneven they have looked on both sides of the ball. A few players have stood out, yet the overall performance has not matched the standard Ohio State usually brings into November.
The path forward is complicated by more than just its own inconsistency. The Buckeyes are also watching results elsewhere, with teams such as UCLA, Indiana, USC, Oregon and Iowa all shaping the postseason picture around them. Even if Ohio State handles Northwestern, the bigger question is whether this group can sharpen enough to hold its place in a crowded Big Ten race and keep its playoff hopes alive. [Read more 🡒]
Northwestern Coach Sounds Off After Ohio State Call Changed The Game
David Braun had plenty to say after Northwesterns 28-19 loss to Ohio State, and much of it started with respect for the Buckeyes. The Wildcats coach praised Ohio States performance and pointed to the programs recent success as the kind of standard his team is trying to chase, even while the result left Northwestern still searching for a breakthrough in Big Ten play.
Braun also made clear he disagreed with the replay ruling that helped swing momentum toward an Ohio State touchdown, a moment that only added to Northwesterns frustration. Beyond the officiating, he said the Wildcats have to clean up their penalties, and he offered a cautious update on injured quarterback Aidan Chiles, saying the recovery remains a week-to-week process. [Read more 🡒]