Northwestern vs. Ohio St. Pick
After a surprising loss to Penn State last week will No. 6 Ohio State take out its frustrations on Northwestern when they meet on Saturday at 3:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Ohio State is the clear favorite in this game, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -27 points against the Wildcats. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 52.5 points. Ohio State has won five straight meetings with Northwestern, covering the spread in all five wins.
Bet on Northwestern vs. Ohio State
Ohio State suffered a 24-21 loss at Penn State last week despite holding a 24-21 lead in the fourth quarter. The Buckeyes are now 6-1 on the season, 3-1 in the Big Ten and 4-3 against the spread. After starting 4-0 ATS to open the season, the Buckeyes have failed to cover in three straight. Ohio State outgained Penn State 413-276 in last week’s loss, but few errors on special teams allowed the Nittany Lions to score 17 points in the fourth and get the win. Despite the loss, Ohio State is still putting up 45.3 points and 501.7 yards per game this season. J.T. Barrett has thrown for 1,452 yards and 17 touchdowns while running for 460 yards and six scores. Mike Weber has run for 683 yards to lead the ground game, but he’s been held to 71 yards or less in his last three games. Defensively, the Buckeyes are giving up 14.4 points and 279.7 yards per game. They are also allowing just 158.7 passing yards per contest.
Northwestern comes into this game with some momentum, as the Wildcats have won three straight following a 24-14 win over Indiana. Northwestern is now 4-3 on the season, 3-1 in the Big Ten and 4-3 against the spread. The Wildcats have won at Michigan State and Iowa already in conference play as well. Northwestern is putting up 25.9 points and 378.6 yards per game on offense while the defense is giving up 21.9 points and 414.1 yards per game. Justin Jackson has been the main offensive weapon for the Cats, as he has 792 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He has put up 353 yards and three touchdowns over this three-game win streak. Clayton Thorson has thrown for 1,686 yards and 14 touchdowns while Austin Carr has 50 catches for 720 yards and nine touchdowns.
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Ohio State should be upset following the loss, but I truly am starting to wonder just how much the Buckeyes can do about it. Since the 58-0 win over Rutgers, the Buckeyes haven’t looked quite so dominant and often a little sloppy. While Northwestern doesn’t have the talent that Ohio State does, Pat Fitzgerald typically gets his team to play with a lot of heart. The Wildcats are still very much in the Big Ten race and aren’t likely to go down easy. Look for them to cover the lofty spread.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 9 PICK: NORTHWESTERN +27