Ohio State vs. Northwestern Total Pick
Will No. 4 Ohio State be able to put up a big number on the road when it takes on defensive-minded Northwestern on Friday at 8:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
313 Ohio State vs. 314 Northwestern
Friday, October 18, 2019
8:30PM ET – Ryan Field
TV: FS1
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Ohio State is the clear favorite on the road, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -28 points against Northwestern. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 49.5 points. The public betting currently has 80 percent going on Ohio State as the road favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Buckeyes dominate again
Ohio State is coming off a 34-10 win at home over Michigan State two weeks ago to improve to 6-0 on the season. The Buckeyes have won all six games by at least 24 points. They are 3-0 in the Big Ten, 5-1 against the spread and 3-2-1 with the under.
The Buckeyes rank top 10 nationally in offense and defense. The defense is giving up just 8.8 points and 234.7 yards per game while the offense is averaging 49.3 points and 535 yards per contest. Ohio State has a great rushing attack with J.K. Dobbins leading the way with 826 yards and six touchdowns. Quarterback Justin Fields has rushed for 283 yards and eight touchdowns while throwing for 1,298 yards and 18 scores and just one INT. Binjimen Victor is the leading receiver with 18 catches for 348 yards and three scores. The defense is being led by Chase Young, who has 21 tackles and 8.5 sacks.
Northwestern struggling
The Northwestern football team is coming off a 13-10 loss at Nebraska two weeks ago. The Wildcats are just 1-4 on the season, 0-3 in the Big Ten, 2-3 against the spread and 4-1 with the under.
The Wildcats are a mess on offense, averaging just 14.4 points and 293 yards per game. Defensively, Northwestern is respectable, allowing only 19.8 points and 320 yards per game. Hunter Johnson is dealing with a knee injury and is questionable to play on Friday. He has thrown for 367 yards and a touchdown with four interceptions. He also has rushed for 89 yards. Drake Anderson is leading the team with 366 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Bennett Skowronek is the leading receiver with 12 catches for 141 yards.
College Football Betting Trends
Ohio State
The Buckeyes are 9-4 with the over in their last 13 road games and 5-2 with the over in their last seven games in October.
Northwestern
The Wildcats are 7-2 with the under in their last nine conference games and 42-14-1 with the under in their last 57 home games.
Prediction:
These two have hit the over in five of their last six meetings. Last season, Ohio State put up 45 on the Wildcats at home and in their last trip to Evanston, the Buckeyes scored 40 points. While Northwestern has good defensive numbers, this Ohio State offense is another animal. The Wildcats gave up 31 at home to Michigan State, which is awful offensively. The Buckeyes can take their rushing attack on the road and shove the ball down Northwestern’s throat. I think Ohio State can score into the 40’s and possibly push for 50 on its own. Northwestern should find its usual 10 points at some point, maybe in garbage time.
College Football Week 8 Prediction: Ohio State/Northwestern Over 49.5