Being the Buckeye beat’s black sheep blog, we here at Land-Grant Holy Land like to pat ourselves on the back. So, throughout the season, members of our staff will be making predictions about that day’s game. They will go on the record with what they think the final score will be, who the game’s MVP will be, and what the major storyline will be coming out of the day.
This afternoon, the No. 20 Ohio State Buckeyes will host the Northwestern Wildcats at The Horseshoe. The two teams will kick off around
12:15 p.m. ET on Fox, since the “Big Noon” game never starts at noon. Ohio State enters the game as a 13.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel. The book projects the total points line at 44.5. If you think you are better at prognosticating than our experts, maybe go and put your money where your mouth is.
Check out what our staff members think and then let us know your thoughts on the game in the comments below. As we move forward with the season, you will be able to keep up with just how well our prognosticators do on a weekly basis HERE.
Joey Gertz
Score Prediction: Ohio State 31, Northwestern 20
Game MVP: This team has two goals remaining, in my opinion. 1: Get Jeremiah Smith the Heisman. 2: Beat TTUN. Well, they don’t play TTUN this week, so let’s pad those stats for No. 4. I think Jeremiah has 10 catches for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Major Storyline: I think major storylines, for the most part, are done with this team. With that said, a win against Northwestern and finishing the season the right way at 9-3 and giving themselves a prayer at a Big Ten Championship would ease a lot of Buckeye minds heading into the offseason.
Justin Golba
Score Prediction: Ohio State 27, Northwestern 14
Game MVP: I think Jeremiah Smith will remind everyone why he is still in the Heisman running. This will be Fahey’s third game and second home start, and I think the connection with Smith will be there, and I think they will target him 12 to 15 times in this one
Major Storyline: The Buckeyes will get back on the winning track, and the defense will be back in good graces after holding a decent Northwestern offense to 14 points.
Dan Hessler
Score Prediction: Ohio State 20, Northwestern 17
Game MVP: In what will be another scary game for Buckeye Nation, Bo Jackson will be the MVP with over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Northwestern won’t get up on the Buckeyes as fast, so they will be able to stick to the ground game in the second half.
Major Storyline: Despite the narrow victory, Ohio State still has to make more changes on and off the field to find any sense of success this year.
Connor Lemons
Score Prediction: Ohio State 17, Northwestern 13
Game MVP: Eddrick Houston will have a breakout game against the Wildcats, totaling seven total tackles and his first sack of the season.
Major Storyline: Major changes will be made to the coaching staff and the roster immediately following the Michigan game, which will likely be Ohio State’s last game of the season. Will Ryan Day completely clean house, or will Ryan Day even still be here? Another underwhelming game against Northwestern just continues to turn up the pressure.
Brett Ludwiczak
Score Prediction: Ohio State 35, Northwestern 17
Game MVP: After a frustrating last two games adjusting to Luke Fahey as quarterback, this is the week Jeremiah Smith takes over a game like we saw earlier this season and adds some fuel back to his Heisman campaign.
Major Storyline: This week’s win won’t be the cleanest, but it is the best game Ohio State has played in a month. The Buckeyes get to Northwestern’s backup quarterback a few times and force the Wildcats into some turnovers, winning the turnover battle against a team that entered the game with a +12 turnover margin.
Gene Ross
Score Prediction: Northwestern 35, Ohio State 20
Game MVP: Former Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly — who should still be the Ohio State offensive coordinator — schemes up Matt Patricia’s defense over and over again. The Wildcats absolutely eat up the Buckeyes’ patented three-man rush.
Major Storyline: Ohio State is in complete disarray. The loss likely leads to the dismissal of several more coaches on the staff, including hopefully Keenan Bailey and Tyler Bowen, in addition to at least one of the coordinators.
Matt Tamanini
Score Prediction: Ohio State 27, Northwestern 20
Game MVP: It better flipping be Jeremiah Smith. As I said earlier this week, all that really matters at this point is beating Michigan and getting Jeremiah Smith the Heisman Trophy. If OSU’s offensive brain trust doesn’t learn the lesson of last week and still can’t figure out how to make him the focal point of the offense, then I don’t know what the point is anymore.
Major Storyline: Man, just winning a game would be a major storyline at this point. Things have been rough the last month, so getting back in the win column, with still at least a mathematical chance to make the College Football Playoff will give us something to be happy about for the first time in a while.
Cole VanWiechen
Score Prediction: Ohio State 24, Northwestern 13
Game MVP: Jeremiah Smith needs just 31 yards to break John Standeford’s Big Ten career receiving record, and I think he gets it on Ohio State’s opening drive. I have him finishing with eight catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns as Luke Fahey and the entire Buckeye offense lean on him to snap the Buckeyes’ two-game losing streak.
Major Storyline: Jeremiah Smith becomes the Big Ten’s all-time leading receiver, breaking a record that has stood since 2003 in front of the home crowd. After two straight losses, it gives Ohio Stadium something to celebrate and reminds everyone he’s still the best player in college football.
