Ohio State vs. Northwestern preview: Ryan Day needs more than a win

Ohio State is riding the struggle bus, and Ryan Day is running out of time to get the Buckeyes back on track.

No. 20 Ohio State (6-3) hosts Northwestern (6-3) on Saturday, November 14, at Ohio Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET on FOX.

Both teams have lost two straight games. Both are missing their starting quarterbacks.

But the pressure is squarely on Day, whose Buckeyes have gone from national championship contenders to a team fighting to keep its slim College Football Playoff hopes alive.

Ohio State’s problems go beyond quarterback

The Buckeyes have lost consecutive games to USC (30-18) and Oregon (41-28). Their defense surrendered 71 points in those two defeats.

Against Oregon, Ohio State jumped ahead 14-0 before watching the Ducks score 38 unanswered points. A successful Oregon fake punt exposed another problem: special teams.

Day responded by firing special teams coordinator Robby Discher.

That’s quite a list of problems for a program with Ohio State’s resources.

Freshman quarterback Luke Fahey will make his third consecutive start with Julian Sayin sidelined by an elbow injury.

Fahey threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon. He also threw an interception, but blaming the freshman for Ohio State’s struggles would be ridiculous.

The Buckeyes still have Jeremiah Smith, who has 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Running back Bo Jackson has added 685 rushing yards and six scores.

There is enough talent here to beat Northwestern. The question is whether Day can get everybody pulling in the same direction.

Northwestern has problems of its own

The Wildcats aren’t exactly arriving in Columbus with momentum.

Northwestern lost 34-26 to Oregon before falling 24-10 to Iowa last Saturday.

Starting quarterback Aidan Chiles is out with an upper-body injury. Nicco Marchiol will likely start after completing 24 of 32 passes for 181 yards against Iowa. He also rushed for 52 yards.

Former Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly now runs Northwestern’s offense, adding another interesting storyline.

The Wildcats average 190.2 rushing yards per game, but Ohio State allows just 97.1. That matchup could decide how long Northwestern stays competitive.

Receiver Griffin Wilde is another player worth watching. He has 813 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Northwestern also owns a plus-12 turnover margin. Ohio State can’t afford to give the Wildcats extra possessions.

What Ohio State must do

The Buckeyes need three things Saturday: establish the running game, eliminate defensive breakdowns and stop making special teams mistakes.

That doesn’t sound particularly complicated.

But neither did protecting a 14-point lead against Oregon.

Ohio State still has road trips to Nebraska and a home date with Michigan remaining. Another loss would make an already disappointing season considerably worse.

Day doesn’t need another impressive press conference. He needs his football team to perform.

Ohio State vs. Northwestern prediction

Ohio State is the more talented team, even without Sayin.

Northwestern’s quarterback injury makes an upset more difficult, and the Wildcats will struggle to consistently move the ball against the Buckeyes’ defense.

But I don’t expect a blowout.

Ohio State should win. Whether the Buckeyes look like a team capable of salvaging its season is another matter.

Prediction: Ohio State 27, Northwestern 17.

Northwestern vs. Ohio State game notes: How to watch

Series history and quick facts

• Ohio State leads the all-time series 66-14-1.
• The Buckeyes have won 11 consecutive meetings.
• Northwestern last defeated Ohio State in 2004.
• Last meeting: Ohio State defeated Northwestern 31-7 in 2024.
• Ryan Day is 4-0 against Northwestern as Ohio State’s head coach.