4 – 5 (2-4)

NOV. 17, 2024 – 12:00

Wrigley Field

Chicago, Ill

Ohio State plays in one of America’s most storied sports venues this afternoon while Northwestern hosts the Buckeyes at Wrigley Field.

After a 45-0 win over Purdue last week, Ohio State hopes to take care of things comfortably again before heading into its third top-five game of the season against Indiana next week. The Wildcats are slightly better than the Boilermakers, but Ohio State is still favored to prevail by more than four touchdowns. That said, the game’s unique setting presents a variable for both teams to account for, and the Wildcats have often played the Buckeyes closer than they should have on paper in the past.

With all that in mind, we break down our biggest questions and top players to watch and swing for the fences with our predictions for today’s match.

To ask

Will the location affect the gameplay?

While Wrigley Field provides an aesthetic setting for today’s game, it is also not a venue designed for football, which may require both teams to make some adjustments. The grass will be different than the grass Ohio State is used to playing on, and there will be other quirks the Buckeyes will have to adjust to, such as the locker room being further away from the field, and different sight lines for the coaches calling that play from the press. box and the play clock are in a different location in a stadium typically used for baseball.

In terms of gameplay, the variable that might have the most impact on the game is the proximity of the walls to the end zone. Could teams be more reluctant to throw deep balls to the back of the end zone, especially during the quarters where they go straight to the right field wall? I don’t expect the Buckeyes to change their playbook significantly because of the location, but it might be smart to avoid throwing fade routes to their top receivers, especially if they’ve built a comfortable lead.

Ryan Day said he doesn’t expect the differences between Wrigley Field and a regular football stadium to be a “big deal,” but the fact that he brought his team to the field Friday for a walkthrough — which Ohio State typically doesn’t do before road games – shows it’s at least in the back of his mind as something the Buckeyes need to consider.

– Dan Hope

RELATED Players Ryan Day, Chip Kelly and Buckeye excited about ‘cool’ opportunity to play at Wrigley Field

Can the Buckeyes continue to build their ground game?

After reinventing the left side of its offensive line following a 2.1 yards per carry day against Nebraska and two injuries to a left tackle, Ohio State made a statement against one of the nation’s best defensive fronts at then-No. .3 Penn State. The Buckeyes drove through a hostile environment at a rate of 5.2 yards per carry when the bags were removed.

Those successes were built on somewhat against Purdue with 4.9 yards per carry and an explosive day from TreVeyon Henderson (six carries, 85 yards). But Northwestern presents a bigger challenge defending against offense. That’s the one thing the Wildcats are good at. The Wildcats rank 16th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (108.1) and 22nd in yards allowed per carry (3.4). As temperatures drop in November, football becomes increasingly important.

– Andy Anders

How many quarterbacks will play?

Ohio State is a 30-point favorite over Northwestern, so I expect more than Will Howard to take shots at quarterback this week. The question is who will replace him when his afternoon is over? Day said this week that Devin Brown is still the team’s backup, but Julian Sayin continues to do a good job in practice and does his best to fill the role. I expect both to see the field on Saturday. How many reps each quarterback receives will be interesting.

–Chase Brown

Can Ohio State stifle Northwestern’s offense?

The Buckeyes are playing an overmatched opponent for the second week in a row. Northwestern has the worst statistical offense in the Big Ten, so this could be another opportunity for Jim Knowles’ defense to put in a dominant effort.

– Garrick Hodge

Players to watch

Carnell Tate

Playing in Tate’s hometown of Chicago, Ohio State might be inclined to draw up a few extra plays for its No. 3 receiver. At least that’s what it sounded like on Thursday during Day’s radio program.

“I can’t say enough about Carnell Tate,” Day said. “I just have so much respect for who he is as a person, what he’s been through and the fact that he’s going back to Chicago, so I personally want to win this match for him.”

Tate expects about 30 to 40 family members and friends from his hometown to be at the game today, so he will certainly be motivated to put on a big game for all of them. He’s playing well despite being overshadowed by Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes the lead for the Buckeyes today.

– Dan Hope

JT Tuimoloau

Tuimoloau has been one of Ohio State’s best defensive players of late, collecting 15 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks in the last three games for the Buckeyes. Against Purdue, he forced a fumble that Jack Sawyer recovered and returned 11 yards for a touchdown.

Given Northwestern’s offensive struggles this season, which ranks 121st in scoring and 131st out of 134 teams in total offense, expect Tuimoloau to invade the backfield again on Saturday.

– Andy Anders

Edrick Houston

Other than a “silly penalty” in the Purdue game, Day has been pleased with Houston since moving to defensive tackle. The sixth-year head coach often touts Houston’s strength and power at the position — one in which Day sees “a very bright future” for the five-star freshman — and I think those traits will be on display often Saturday as Ohio State looks to pull ahead building and building depth against Northwestern.

–Chase Brown

RELATED Ohio State excited about what Eddrick Houston has seen in his move to defensive tackle

TreVeyon Henderson

Henderson said he’s not a baseball fan, but I predict he might become one after a big day Saturday. We’re just going out here with this player to watch, but it feels like Henderson is due for a big game.

– Garrick Hodge

Predictions

Ohio State will not allow any offensive touchdowns for the third straight time

I’m not quite going to predict a second straight shutout for the Buckeyes, but I predict Ohio State’s defense will prevent the opponent from reaching the end zone for a third straight game. Northwestern’s offense is the worst in the Big Ten and ranks outside the top 100 nationally in both passing and rushing yards per attempt, so the Buckeyes shouldn’t have much trouble shutting down the Wildcats.

– Dan Hope

250 passing yards for the Buckeyes

Ohio State eclipsed 250 passing yards in five of nine games, and pass defense is the weaker part of Northwestern’s ball-stopping unit. The Wildcats rank 100th in yards allowed per play (241.1) and 52nd in yards allowed per pass attempt (6.9).

– Andy Anders

Ohio State’s special teams continue to shine

Caden Curry’s blocked kick against Purdue was Ohio State’s first since Lathan Ransom had one in back-to-back weeks against Indiana and Maryland in 2022. This feels extra risky, but since it’s the funniest possible outcome, I’m picking Curry to make it to get one. point block this week and equal Ransom’s performance from two years ago. Even if that doesn’t happen, I expect the Buckeyes to build on their special teams performance from the Purdue game and continue to make that unit an “asset” down the road.

–Chase Brown

Players enjoy the game but are not eager to play it again

This is a unique experience for Ohio State fans, coaches and players alike, but it probably should remain that way after seeing the lineup. Don’t expect too many fades to the end zone on Saturday. Ohio State should win comfortably, but most importantly, they should come out of the game healthy.

– Garrick Hodge