I see OSU winning by a margin where the game is never really in doubt. NW will score points and I'd expect them to make plays on the ground, but I can't see them slowing down OSU's offense.If the OSU team that just throttled Michigan shows up, yeah, it's gonna be tough for NU to match up.
NU doesn't make mistakes. They just play their game and don't stop. They have a pretty good defense and an efficient offense. This will be very interesting, I think.I have a red a couple of times that Northwestern‘s record over the last 16 conference games is 15 and one. Think about that. OSU and UM are both 14-2.
I have rea
Ohio State can just show up, let them know "Hey, we have far more talent than you, see this fancy helmet?", and Northwestern will basically give up and quit before the kickoff.heh... I think we all know that won't happen. But I do think OSU will be playing for that #4 spot in the playoffs
Ohio State can just show up, let them know "Hey, we have far more talent than you, see this fancy helmet?", and Northwestern will basically give up and quit before the kickoff.Lol. Yeah- they tried that with Purdue and got bitchslapped.
heh... I think we all know that won't happen. But I do think OSU will be playing for that ass-whipping from Bama the playoffsFixed.
I think it possible that OSU could float into Indy on a "cloud 9" and not really think this will be much of a game. It's Northwestern, after all. OSU can beat them with a half hearted effort by the scout team on a bad day, no problem. Write it down, OSU blows them out easily.:sign0090:,tOSU wins on a FG with time running out.And Georgia woodsheds Bama :sign0151:
Except ....
Northwestern will be quite popular this week outside of Buckeye Nation. Some Michigan fans might reluctantly root against them, with an eye towards Pasadena. But they are perhaps a vocal minority within their fanbase.If Oklahoma and Alabama win, the committee will sure be big Cat fans come Saturday night.
Anyone who plays OSU is popular outside of Buckeye Nation. Kinda like whoever plays the Yankees, Lakers or Patriots.Meh,maybe the Cards or Red Sox,St Nick leads the Yankees
If Oklahoma and Alabama win, the committee will sure be big Cat fans come Saturday night.If Bama and Sooners win IMHO the BTCG is just for shits and giggles.
Fixed.99% sure your right. It’s just that I heard that for weeks the last time they played, and I heard that this last week from lots of my buds that are all UM guys. And I am sure Purdue wS told that when the Buckeyes we’re heading to town.
99% sure your right. It’s just that I heard that for weeks the last time they played, and I heard that this last week from lots of my buds that are all UM guys. And I am sure Purdue wS told that when the Buckeyes we’re heading to town.There was a difference last time. I felt like OSU was a better team than given credit for and that Bama was beatable. OSU is indeed a good team this season, but Bama just looks to be on a different level - from anyone.
Just never know. Lots of people probably saying that about NW this week too...…
I have a red a couple of times that Northwestern‘s record over the last 16 conference games is 15 and one. Think about that. OSU and UM are both 14-2.I think this is right. NU will know what plays Ohio State runs. They will recognize the wheel route when Ohio State tries to draw their defenders out of their zone. They are smart and their defenders will stay at home where they belong and won't be drawn off. NU will not be as fast, but a few of them will be as fast. They will rely upon their knowledge of Ohio State's tendencies and anticipate to replace the advantage Ohio State has in speed.
NW is smart, physical, versatile and strong on defense with a Sunday QB.
You bet they watched a LOT of film from this weekend and beyond.
They are give OSU all, or more then they can handle by turning it into their kind of game.
If OU beats Texas by 7 and OSU beats NW by 7, or 10, or 14, I think OU is in.Agreed. Assuming Bama wins, if OU wins they are in. And I would agree 100%. They lost only once, on the road, by 3 to a rival who is highly ranked. Say what you want about their defense, but if they avenge that loss, they are far more deserving than anyone else for that spot.
Guard Demetrius Knox unfortunately got hurt right at the end of the Michigan game and is likely doneWasn't it on a play where OSU could have taken a knee?
Ohio State can just show up, let them know "Hey, we have far more talent than you, see this fancy helmet?", and Northwestern will basically give up and quit before the kickoff.Yea, the Buckeyes tried that with Purdue. Don't think we see that same mistake Saturday.
Fixed.Read that a few times before, when we had a third string QB playing.........didn't we go through a pretty solid UW team that year? I am getting old and things are fading......... ;)
Yes, but the Bowl game will prolly get watched by less people.I don't think so. People watch the Rose Bowl because it's the Rose Bowl - especially the LA Contingent. It would get very high Chicago ratings too, and high ratings from Heaven.
You coming down to the game Roaddawg? I'm planning on going w a couple of NW alum and my wife .Yes, I am. Taking my son this year, he was so fired up last week, his first Michigan game The Shoe, he presented the case that he was such good luck last week, that I could not possibly think about not taking him to the Championship game. Pretty sound logic from the mind of a 10 year old. ;)
| #6 Ohio State Buckeyes (8-1, 11-1) vs. #21 Northwestern Wildcats (8-1, 8-4) |
| 8:00 - Indianapolis, IN - FOX |
| For a while it looked like we'd get double fresh blood in the Championship Game, but Ohio State finally showed their full potential, so we'll have to settle for just one new face. We get Ohio State for the 4th time in six years, but after getting Bucky in 5 of the first 7, we get the Northwestern Wildcats becoming the 7th school to make an appearance, so now half of the conference has made it. Both schools reach with a singular conference loss, but it's that 0-3 non-conference record that stands out for Northwestern. Aside from the fluky year where both Ohio State and Penn State were ineligible, and Wisconsin went as the 3rd place team in the division, we've never even seen a 3 loss team make the Championship Game, and now the Cats roll in with 4 losses. Saying that they got off to a slow start and then got rolling would be a little misleading. Northwestern had an odd schedule this year where they opened with a conference game, and played a non-conference game in November. So they actually won their opener, and picked up a loss in November. They were able to find a little bit of balance over the second half of the season. Their running game was bad to begin with, and then the retirement of Jeremy Larkin made it completely non-existent until Isaiah Bowser came out of nowhere over the final six games. He had 2 carries for 2 yards over the first half of the season, and 159 for 734 over the second half, averaging 122.3 ypg, with a low of 85 yards against Minnesota. Only Jonathan Taylor averaged more in conference play than that. He's not exactly breaking off chunk plays though, he's just a bulldog, eating up carries. His 4.7 ypc was actually 2nd worst among the top 10 running backs in the league in terms of game average. What kind of success he has depends a lot on which Ohio State defensive front shows up. Two weeks ago Maryland ran silly over them, with Anthony McFarland piling up nearly 300 yards himself. But last week that front held Michigan to just 4.0 ypc, and were in the backfield all afternoon long. Clayton Thorson excels at getting the ball out quickly. That negates what has been two straight years of underperformance on the offensive line. Bill Connolly tracks the Wildcats offensive line #115 in line yards, and #126 on passing downs, combined with #111 on opportunity rate. In short, the fact that Northwestern is only allowing 2.0 sacks per game is a huge credit to Thorson getting the ball out. The problem is that he's not looking for the big plays that the Buckeyes' secondary has been vulnerable to. Northwestern is averaging 224 passing yards per game, but requiring nearly 35 passes per game to do so, with a 10:9 TD:INT ratio and a 6.5 ypa average that ranks in the bottom five. For comparison, Minnesota slots in right below Northwestern in passing yardage (at only 1.4 ypg behind), but is doing it on nearly 8 fewer attempts per game. So while Thorson likely won't have the pressure issues that Patterson faced last Saturday, he is going to be extremely reliant on sustaining drives and picking up third downs, rather that hitting the big plays that have killed Ohio State this year. That could spell trouble, because as bad as Ohio State's defense has been at time, getting beat for big plays, when they are able to force teams to manufacture drives, they've been extremely good, leading the conference in defensive 3rd down conversions, allowing opponents to convert only 28.3% of their attempts. Northwestern's best shot is intangibles. They take the fewest penalties in the league, while the Buckeyes are the most penalized team. Ohio State is coming off a massive, season-changing win, that somehow made everyone forget they probably should have lost to Maryland the week before. Northwestern just keeps defying odds, but while Ohio State still has more weaknesses than any recent Buckeye team, Northwestern is not the type of team to exploit those holes. It's teams like Maryland or Purdue or Nebraska. Teams that can strike quick, and don't mind getting into a shootout. That's not Northwestern. |
| OHIO STATE 35, NORTHWESTERN 23 |
Wasn't it on a play where OSU could have taken a knee?IF Knox was not injured on that play, I believe Urban was going to score again, not on some trick running/pass play, but a straight up run it down your throat just to prove a point to Jimmy Football. Don't like the sportsmanship of that attitude, but a part of me would have really enjoyed hearing the crying from Ann Arbor.
IF Knox was not injured on that play, I believe Urban was going to score again, not on some trick running/pass play, but a straight up run it down your throat just to prove a point to Jimmy Football. Don't like the sportsmanship of that attitude, but a part of me would have really enjoyed hearing the crying from Ann Arbor.Agreed.
Agreed.That was the unanimous take among the Michigan fans I was watching with.
He was gonna punch it in and then go for two, like Woody Hayes.
That was the unanimous take among the Michigan fans I was watching with.In my section of the stands we all wanted the team to score and go for two to make it an even 70, you know why?
Agreed.If he wanted to- he would have.
He was gonna punch it in and then go for two, like Woody Hayes.
Which tOSU Buckeye Team will me see Saturday Night in Indy? That is the biggest game planning question on the table. IF the team from Columbus last week shows up, I don't care how quick Clayton gets the ball out, NW will have a long a day. Not saying the offense will stalled out, because Michigan still pounded out 400 yards, and not a much of it was in garbage time.Northwestern is the opposite of Purdue. Their defense is excellent- and thrives on discipline in the gaps and keeping everything in front of them make the other guy go the long hard way and make mistakes.
If the Buckeye defense lets NW hit the under routes, like Michigan was doing and for some reason did not keep attacking, then it could be a Maryland Recap only in Purple. Outside of Knox, it looks like tOSU is still very healthy and that depth could be an issue for NW. They do not want to get into a slug fest with Ohio State, instead I expect to see a Purdue type game plan used. Hopefully the Buckeye staff has revisited Fright Nite in West Lafayette film and are prepared.
We beat Michigan. We won the East (even though one Harbaugh wants a participation ribbon, or should I say banner). Focus on the B10 CCG and bring that hardware back to the Woody Hayes Center. IF playing in the ROSE BOWL is the final prize, I am ok with the chance to win the roses. I still do not see this team as ready to step up to the Final Table. I think they could beat Notre Dame, but not sure Clemson and Alabama would be good games. Not because they are not talented enough to compete, just do not think the leadership in the locker room and on the field would be there after a few weeks of down time.
If he wanted to- he would have.I think the injury took the desire away. it would have looked even more bush league after that, and he decided to just end the game.
Northwestern is the opposite of Purdue. Their defense is excellent- and thrives on discipline in the gaps and keeping everything in front of them make the other guy go the long hard way and make mistakes.Not sure they will try to go that route, they have had several weeks of film time and I would not be surprised if they try and move the ball fast and use the same type of style Purdue and Maryland had success with against the Buckeyes. They do not have the match ups to go toe to toe and try to play a clock game. I don't expect to see the same NW team that hung with Michigan. Defensive side, all depends upon the Buckeye play calling. Do they close it up and go stupid like the middle part of the season or do they stay on the attack and sling the ball around while putting some worthwhile power run plays, that will be a key factor. I would like to see Dobbins run the ball a lot more than Weber, but Urban seems to be faithful to Weber. 34-27 would not surprise me, but neither would a 62-27 game.
On offense- keep the ball, slow the pace- run the clock, try to make a few key 1st downs or big plays at critical times.
They will limit OSUs possessions and their explosive plays.
I expect a 34-27 type game.