At the beginning of last week Michigan was considered a fait accompli for the Big Ten title. Indeed, the Maize and Blue was favored to beat Ohio State at the Horseshoe last week. Ohio State was reeling with a defense that was rendered helpless for most of the season. Yet the Buckeyes pulled themselves together in an unforgettable win for the ages. Forgotten in all of the Betting on NCAA Football noise is the Northwestern Wildcats. Indeed, nobody gives them a chance against Ohio State. Which is what could make the Wildcats a surprise value.
Big Ten Championship Game
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Date and Time: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Betting on NCAA Football Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern | +14 (-110) | 59½ (-110) |  |
| Ohio State | -14 (-110) | 59½ (-110) | |
| |||
Northwestern vs. Ohio State TV Coverage: FOX
Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern is the type of team that is greater than the total sum of its parts. While they have a decent defense, their offense is woefully lacking. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald epitomizes a typical Northwestern man. Indeed, Fitz was a star linebacker for their famed 1995 Rose Bowl team. He has been head coach since 2006 and has posted three 10 win seasons at Northwestern. Summing up he has done what most considered impossible at this academically elite school. The Wildcats playing style is that of toughness and smarts. More emphatically they compensate for their lack of raw talent.
Wildcats Stats
Northwestern has a Betting on NCAA Football record of 8-4 straight up, 6-4-2 against the spread and 5-7 under the total. Last week the Wildcats scored a 24-16 win over Illinois as 16-point overlays. Likewise, it was the first loss to the line in five games for Northwestern. NU is the champions of the Big Ten West Division.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Saturday Ohio State stole the East Division championship from Michigan in a stunning 62-39 home payout. To begin with the Buckeyes were 3.5-point Offshore bookmaker home dogs. As a result, the Buckeyes finished 11-1 straight up but just 5-7 against the spread with a 6-6 mark on totals. After a season of tumult and controversy OSU rose to the occasion against their arch rivals. Granted the Buckeyes defense is still suspect but it was a character win for the Bucks. Head coach Urban Meyer totally outclassed his Michigan counterpart Jim Harbaugh. OSU also showed superior speed.
Team vs. Team
Ohio State has dominated this head to head series with Northwestern. For example, the Buckeyes have gotten the money in five of the last six meetings. And OSU won all six of those games straight up. Four of the last five between these teams went over the total. But another factor is Northwestern’s lack of experience in this salutation. The Cats have never played in the Big Ten title game.
Matchup to Watch
Ohio State’s athleticism and speed is the Betting on NCAA FootballMatchup difference here. As a consequence, the Buckeyes boast the nation’s second ranked offense. Balanced against that is Northwestern’s 111th ranked offense.
Northwestern vs. Ohio State Betting on NCAA Football Picks
To conclude Northwestern lacks the firepower to stay with Ohio State.
Northwestern vs. Ohio State Betting on NCAA Football Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes
Northwestern vs. Ohio State Betting on NCAA Football Score Prediction: Ohio State 42, Northwestern 17
Catch highlights of Ohio State’s win over Michigan last week!