Defensive end Mitchell Melton and cornerback Aaron Scott Jr., backups at their respective spots, are out against the Wildcats. Star defensive tackle Tyleik Williams is expected to return after missing last week’s game against Purdue.

Melton has played 93 snaps this year as the fifth defensive end in Ohio State’s rotation, collecting 11 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks in that time. Last week, the Buckeyes played a first-quarter package that featured him at the hybrid defensive end/linebacker “Jack” position, but he didn’t return to action after playing just four defensive snaps.

Scott, a freshman and five-star prospect according to 247Sports’ composite, was a second-string cornerback for Ohio State alongside Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Lorenzo Styles Jr. Scott has played 62 snaps this year with two tackles and a pass breakup. Calvin Simpson-Hunt, the next man behind Scott in the Buckeyes’ cornerback rotation, is also out, meaning freshman Bryce West will be in line for second-team action at cornerback, if available. West dropped his black streak this week.

Ohio State’s No. 2 pick Will Kacmarek and offensive tackle Zen Michalski also remain out against Northwestern, along with walk-ons TC Caffey, Jace Middleton and Reis Stocksdale.

Williams did not play last week after leaving with a fourth-quarter injury on Nov. 2 at Penn State. He was considered available against the Boilermakers but was held off as a precaution, with Ryan Day saying after the game that he could have played if necessary. . The head coach said Friday that Williams is “full go” to play against Northwestern.

“He’s ready to go, he’s ready,” Day told reporters at the Buckeyes’ hotel.

Ohio State and Northwestern will kick off at Wrigley Field on Saturday at noon, while the Big Ten Network will broadcast the game.