Northwestern at Ohio State - 2020 Matchup Preview
Northwestern logo Northwestern Wildcats vs Ohio State Buckeyes(#1)Ohio State logo
Saturday, December 19th 2020 (12:00 PM EST)
Ohio State -16.5 (57.5)
Ohio State 22 - Northwestern: 10  (Big Ten)

 
Wildcats (7 - 2) (8 - 1 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 25 - 16 (23 - 23 on Road)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Game in Dome
OSU coming off BYE
Our Line: -9  (SP+ OSU -18)
Projected Score: NW: 25 - OSU: 32 (57)
OSU Win prob: 90% | Cover: 54%
NW Travel: 178 miles, 1 hrs behind
Buckeyes (7 - 1) (3 - 4 - 1)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 41 - 26 (48 - 26 @ Home)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Northwestern's 2020 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Northwestern vs Maryland-14.051.0W 43 - 3UY
Sat 10/31 Northwestern at Iowa+3.0
Sat 11/7 Northwestern vs Nebraska-4.053.0W 21 - 13UY
Sat 11/14 Northwestern at Purdue-3.548.5W 27 - 20UY
Sat 11/21 Northwestern vs Wisconsin+7.543.0W 17 - 7UY
Sat 11/28 Northwestern at Michigan State-13.540.0L 20 - 29ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 12/12 Northwestern vs Illinois-13.041.0W 28 - 10UY
Sat 12/19 Northwestern vs Ohio State+16.557.5L 10 - 22UY
Fri 1/1 Northwestern vs Auburn-3.543.5W 35 - 19OY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
Ohio State's 2020 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Ohio State vs Nebraska-28.069.5W 52 - 17UY
Sat 10/31 Ohio State at Penn State-13.0
Sat 11/7 Ohio State vs Rutgers-37.562.0W 49 - 27ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/21 Ohio State vs Indiana-21.067.0W 42 - 35ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 12/5 Ohio State at Michigan State-22.559.0W 52 - 12OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 12/19 Ohio State vs Northwestern-16.557.5W 22 - 10UN
Fri 1/1 Ohio State vs Clemson+7.566.5W 49 - 28OY
Mon 1/11 Ohio State vs Alabama+9.575.0L 24 - 52ON

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Ohio State's Schedule
Important Stats (2020)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NW.1140%24.735%2.4316445%1993.93.0338%15.945%33%2.0640.41.62.1
OSU.3853%4151%3.525655%2634.2.1745%25.839%48%3.7354.61.12.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)39% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)44% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3
OSU#1 (.43)52% (3)48% (19)3.37 (15)13756% (1)2114.6 (15)#2 (-.01)36% (7)39% (26)34% (8)2.05 (1)31.60.81.1



Overall Stats 2020
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Offense924.722.739.6%3.931.6203631641993.855%45%35%45%16%.11
OSU Defense825.826.344.7%3.732.3 - - - - - 39%61%39%48%18%.17
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Defense915.92338.2%2.062.1 - - - - - 45%55%45%33%20%.03
OSU Offense84147.752.6%4.21.125519256263657%43%51%55%16%.38

Additional Stats 2020
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Northwestern931:1820.340%69%540.41.62.16.11.6030.3
Ohio State832:102549%56%6.154.61.12.35.82.6228.8
Run Game Stats (2020)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NW Offense955%35%43.41643.816-.052.4358%11%0.92
OSU Defense839%39% - - - - -.112.2564%11%0.67
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NW Defense945%45% - - - - .112.9662%11%0.98
OSU Offense857%51%43256.3619.333.575%11%1.09

Pass Game Stats (2020)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Offense945%45%19.231.4198.96.310.4128.321.530%34%.415%2
OSU Defense861%48% - - - - - - 7.351.532%33%.277%1.9
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Defense955%33% - - - - - - 14-.041.434%28%.189%1.9
OSU Offense843%55%19.828.1262.59.313.3226.451.627%40%.65%2.1

Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: NR
Northwestern's Offense Rating: NR
Northwestern's Defense Rating: NR
2020 Talent Rating:  #46
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Northwestern's 2020 Expected Record: -
Northwestern's 2020 Overall SP+ Rating: 10.1  #30
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.6  #93
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 14.7  #3

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern:    Ohio State: 14.1

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 10.1   Ohio State: 28.2




Ohio State's Power Ratings
Ohio State's Power Rating: 14.1 NR
Ohio State's Offense Rating: NR
Ohio State's Defense Rating: NR
2020 Talent Rating:  #3
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 NR
Ohio State's 2020 Expected Record: -
Ohio State's 2020 Overall SP+ Rating: 28.2  #2
Ohio State's Offense SP+ Rating: 47.0  #2
Ohio State's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.7  #10

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 482


Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 24.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 22.7
Defense: 15.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 23

Northwestern's 2020 Record
Record: 7 - 2
Record vs Spread: 8 - 1 - 0
Over/Under Record: 2 - 7
Record on Road: 2 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 1 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 0 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Ohio State 32
Northwestern 25

Total Points: 57

Based on Last 4 Games
Ohio State 33
Northwestern 26

Total Points: 59

Based on Entire Season
Ohio State 32
Northwestern 25

Total Points: 57
Ohio State Scoring
Offense: 41 PPG
Offense at Home: 47.7
Defense: 25.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 26.3

Ohio State's 2020 Record
Record: 7 - 1
Record vs Spread: 3 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 5 - 3
Record at home: 3 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 1
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/16Northwestern7Ohio State31Ohio State -28Northwestern43.5Under
202211/05Northwestern7Ohio State21Ohio State -37.5Northwestern55.0Under
202012/19Ohio State22Northwestern10Ohio State -16.5Northwestern57.5Under
201910/18Northwestern3Ohio State52Ohio State -26.5Ohio State50.0Over
201812/01Ohio State45Northwestern24Ohio State -16.5Ohio State62.5Over
201610/29Ohio State24Northwestern20Ohio State -24Northwestern53.5Under
201310/05Northwestern30Ohio State40Ohio State -5.5Ohio State0
200811/08Northwestern10Ohio State45
200709/22Ohio State58Northwestern7
200611/11Northwestern10Ohio State54
200511/12Ohio State48Northwestern7
200410/02Northwestern33Ohio State27
200309/27Ohio State20Northwestern0
200210/05Northwestern16Ohio State27
200110/06Ohio State38Northwestern20
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Ohio State1432 Overs
Northwestern144 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams8 - 73 - 41 - 22 - 2
Road Teams7 - 84 - 32 - 22 - 1

(#) NW at (#) OSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNWOSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #30 #2
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #46 #3
Blue ChipsBC%NRNR
Northwestern on Offense
CategoryCat
NW OffOSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #93 #10
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Northwestern Run Game
CategoryCat
NW OffOSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak - NR
Northwestern Pass Game
CategoryCat
NW OffOSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Ohio State on Offense
CategoryCatOSU OffNW Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #2 #3
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Ohio State Run Game
CategoryCat
OSU OffNW Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak - NR
Ohio State Pass Game
CategoryCatOSU OffNW Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Program Comparison
OSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFB Elites
'20 Profile: Remains CFB Elites

NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'20 Profile: Up to Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Lucas Oil Stadium
Conditions: Light Rain
Temp: 40° - Wind: 10 mph
Rematch from Week 16
Ohio State -16.5 (57.5)
Ohio State won vs Northwestern this year (22-10)

Previous Matchups
Ohio State beat Northwestern last year (31-7)
Ohio State beat Northwestern in 2022 (21-7)

  
NW's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

OSU's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Ohio State's Full Roster

OSU's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD