At the onset of the 2019 season expectations were high in Columbus, Ohio. First-year head coach Ryan Day has the daunting challenge of replacing Urban Meyer. But he also inherited one of the most loaded rosters in the country. Day and the Buckeyes are actually exceeding the college football betting expectations. As a matter of fact, they are being touted as National Championship materiel. Northwestern faced Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game last December. And they were completely outclassed. This matchup looks even more impossible. That’s because the Wildcats offense is woefully nonexistent.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Northwestern Wildcats
| Date and Time: | Friday, October 18, 2019, 7:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois |
| Buckeyes vs. Wildcats TV Coverage: | FS1 |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | -27½ (-110) | – | -6000 |  |
| Northwestern | +27½ (-110) | – | +2750 | |
| ||||
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Northwestern Wildcats Overview
Northwestern has an online wagering record of 1-4 straight up, 2-3 against the spread, and 1-4 under the total. Last week the Cats were on a bye that followed a 13-10 loss at Nebraska. Specifically, an offense ranked 128th in the country has been dead weight. Defensively Northwestern ranks a more impressive 26th in the country.
By contrast, Ohio State is 6-0 straight up, 5-1 against the spread, and 2-3-1 under the total. OSU is also coming off a bye that followed a 34-10 home payout against Michigan State. So far, the Bucks have national metrics of fourth for scoring offense and for points allowed. Defensively they are vastly improved over last year.
Key Buckeyes: QB Justin Fields (1298 YDS, 69.5% COMP, 9.2 AVG, 18 TD, 1 INT, 12 SACK, 187.5 RTG), RB JK Dobbins (116 ATT, 826 YDS, 7.1 AVG, 6 TD), WR Binjimen Victor (18 REC, 348 YDS, 19.3 AVG, 3 TD)
Key Wildcats: QB Hunter Johnson (367 YDS, 48.3% COMP, 4.1 AVG, 1 TD, 4 INT, 7 SACK, 77.7 RTG), RB Drake Anderson (74 ATT, 366 YDS, 4.9 AVG, 3 TD), WR Riley Lees (19 REC, 139 YDS, 7.2 AVG, 0 TD)
Ohio State and Northwestern vs. The Line
The Buckeyes are:
- 3-5 against the spread in their last eight away games
- 8-3 over the total on the road
- 6-1 on the board head to head with Northwestern
- 5-1 over the total in their series with the Wildcats
- 3-1 vs. the odds on the road in Big Ten matchups
- 8-3 over the total at Big Ten schools
The Wildcats are:
- 2-6-1 against the spread in their last nine home games
- 4-6-1 under the total at Ryan Field
- 6-3 on the board when hosting Big Ten teams
- 3-6-1 under the total at home against Big Ten opponents
- 0-3 with the line at Ryan Field against Ohio State
- 4-1 over the total when hosting the Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Northwestern Wildcats College Football Betting Picks
In this situation, we have a huge College Football Betting price on Ohio State. Yet it is completely justified. How Northwestern is going to score is anyone’s guess. And the Buckeyes firepower will eventually wear down the Cats defense that will be on the field too long. Calling this a mismatch would be too kind.
Ohio State vs. Northwestern College Football Betting Prediction: Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State vs. Northwestern College Football Betting Score Prediction: Ohio State 45, Northwestern 7