After consecutive losses to USC and Oregon, Ohio State desperately needs a response. The Buckeyes have fallen to 6-3 and dropped to No. 20 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. They return to the Shoe on Saturday to host Northwestern, another 6-3 team looking to get back on track. Cole and Joey preview the matchup, discuss Ohio State’s chances of making the Big Ten Championship Game, and look around at another busy weekend of college football.
Northwestern preview
Northwestern is coming off a 24-10 loss to
Iowa, their second straight defeat after falling to Oregon the previous week. The Wildcats are 6-3 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play, making Saturday an important game for both teams.
Quarterback Nicco Marchiol made his first start for Northwestern against Iowa, completing 24 of 32 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown while adding 52 rushing yards. Ohio State will need a much better performance after allowing 41 points to Oregon, especially with the season starting to slip away. The Buckeyes host Northwestern at noon on Saturday, with the game airing on FOX. Cole and Joey break down what Ohio State needs to do to avoid a third straight loss.
Around college football and the playoff picture
There are several important matchups around the country this weekend, including Missouri at Georgia, USC at Indiana, Michigan at Oregon, Utah at Arizona, and Texas at LSU. Cole and Joey discuss the games they will be watching and what the results could mean for the national picture.
They also look at Ohio State’s chances of reaching the Big Ten Championship Game and make their predictions for the College Football Playoff top five. The committee’s latest rankings have since been released, with Georgia taking over No. 1 and Ohio State falling to No. 20. Utah, Alabama, UCLA and Notre Dame round out the top five.
This week in Ohio State basketball
Ohio State picked up an 84-74 win over Marshall on Monday night, but it wasn’t exactly a convincing performance. The Buckeyes led by 18 at halftime before allowing 47 second-half points and needing to hold on for the victory. John Mobley Jr. led the way with 19 points.
Things get considerably tougher Friday night when Ohio State travels to face UConn. The Huskies are 3-0 and already have a win over Michigan this season after an 85-77 victory in Boston. Cole and Joey discuss what to expect from the Buckeyes ahead of another major nonconference test.
