B1G Preview: Ohio State vs. North Western

Two ranked and undefeated teams from the B1G will collide tomorrow as the Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0) will head to Illinois to take on the Northwestern Wildcats (4-0).

This is a very important game to both these teams.  Ohio State will be looking to continue its dominance from last season and move a step closer to making a National Championship run, a spot which they were banned from last year, as well as further establish itself as the best team in the B1G.

Ohio State will want to just continue doing what they have been doing in this game.  They like to score a lot of point early to put immediate distance between themselves and other teams.  The Buckeyes have outscore opponents 116-21 thus far this season in the first quarter.  Northwestern, on the other hand, has only been able to muster up an average of six point in the first quarter this season.  That mean the Buckeyes will look to make the Wildcats play from behind all day until the game ends.

The Buckeyes defense will have to be able to adjust to two different quarterback.  These adjustments are easier to talk about than actually doing.  Northwestern’s Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian have been splitting play time.  Colter is a dual threat quarterback while Siemian is a pocket QB.  This alternating offensive style of the Wildcats could easily catch the Buckeyes defense confused, and it is going to be something that Ohio State will need to be aware of all game.

If you ask any Northwestern fan they will at the least tell you how this is easily the biggest game of the season for their football team.  The Wildcats could get 5-0 starts for two consecutive season for the first time since the 1904/1905 season.  They will also cement themselves as the team to beat in the B1G.

Northwestern’s offense is going to need to take risks against the Buckeyes defense.  When Siemian is taking the helm they should have him throw a lot of deep balls.  This will not only wear out the Buckeyes defense and have them ease up on the pass rush after a few completion, but the Wildcats have been exceptionally when throwing the ball deep to wide receiver Tony Jones.

The defense of Northwestern is not going to have a fun day playing against Braxton Miller.  The Wildcats secondary has a hard time defending against the play action, which is unfortunate for them considering Ohio State has a whole arsenal of play action pass plays.

Over at Bovada, Northwestern are the underdogs with a+7 point spread.  The over/under is set at 62 points.  Ohio State’s money line is set at  -350 compared to Northwestern’s +275.  The game starts at 6 p.m.  ET on Saturday and will be televised nationally on ABC.