Northwestern at Ohio State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Northwestern logo Northwestern Wildcats at Ohio State BuckeyesOhio State logo
Saturday, November 14th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Ohio Stadium - Columbus, OH

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (19 - 19)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (15 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
OSU 2nd straight Home Game
NW is playing their 9th straight game
Our Line: Ohio State -28.5  (SP+ OSU -24)
Projected Score: NW: 8 - OSU: 36 (44)
OSU Win prob: 97% | Cover: 52%
NW Travel: 282 miles, 1 hrs behind
Buckeyes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Ryan Day (82 - 12)
Avg Score : 33 - 9 (42 - 7 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Northwestern's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Northwestern vs South Dakota State-27
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19 Northwestern vs Colorado-14
Sat 9/26 Northwestern at Indiana+28
Sat 10/3 Northwestern vs Penn State+9
Sat 10/10 Northwestern vs Ball State-27.5
Sat 10/17 Northwestern at Michigan State-3
Sat 10/24 Northwestern vs Rutgers-7
Sat 10/31 Northwestern at Oregon+24.5
Sat 11/7 Northwestern vs Iowa+7.5
Sat 11/14 Northwestern at Ohio State+28.5
Sat 11/21 Northwestern at Minnesota+3
Sat 11/28 Northwestern at Illinois+10

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 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Ohio State vs Ball State-53.5
Sat 9/12 Ohio State at Texas-5.5
Sat 9/19 Ohio State vs Kent State-49.5
Sat 9/26 Ohio State vs Illinois-21
Sat 10/3 Ohio State at Iowa-13.5
Sat 10/10 Ohio State vs Maryland-30
Sat 10/17 Ohio State at Indiana+2
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Ohio State at USC-6
Sat 11/7 Ohio State vs Oregon-6.5
Sat 11/14 Ohio State vs Northwestern-28.5
Sat 11/21 Ohio State at Nebraska-21.5
Sat 11/28 Ohio State vs Michigan-16.5

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 (2025)
 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#83 (.15)43% (57)23.446% (46)2.97 (64)16142% (66)1863.21 (116)#72 (.17)45% (117)19.847% (119)44% (101)3.37 (41)33.81.61.5
OSU#10 (.31)52% (2)33.445% (47)2.99 (61)15558% (1)2684.83 (5)#3 (-.02)34% (6)9.331% (3)38% (32)2.64 (8)38.50.81
 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
NW0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
OSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Offense1323.415.243.2%3.211.6203471611864.751%47%46%42%17%.15
OSU Defense149.37.434.4%2.641 - - - - - 48%50%31%38%16%-.02
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Defense1319.82645.3%3.371.5 - - - - - 52%46%47%44%15%.17
OSU Offense1433.441.651.7%4.830.8234231552684.648%51%45%58%11%.31

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Northwestern1332:1819.743%59%4.233.81.61.541.8028.5
Ohio State1433:0022.653%67%4.138.50.815.62.5129
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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 Offense1351% (57)46% (46)34.5160.94.716 (99).14 (58)2.97 (64)76% (41)8% (33)0.91 (92)
OSU Defense1448% (50)31% (3) - - - - -.09 (4)2.5 (10)59% (9)11% (17)0.82 (7)
 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 Defense1352% (91)47% (119) - - - - .18 (108)3.16 (113)71% (63)9% (93)0.99 (85)
OSU Offense1448% (80)45% (47)33.6154.84.625 (60).08 (89)2.99 (61)73% (61)7% (14)0.78 (133)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Offense1347% (81)42% (66)17.229.1185.96.410.817 (75)13 (108).21 (85)1.5 (97)30% (46)33% (33).31 (66)9% (130)1.8 (128)
OSU Defense1450% (89)38% (32) - - - - - - 8 (100).05 (5)1.2 (1)36% (12)23% (5).08 (5)5% (108)1.7 (7)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Defense1346% (38)44% (101) - - - - - - 9 (75).24 (63)1.4 (6)28% (119)34% (120).32 (82)6% (62)1.8 (20)
OSU Offense1451% (54)58% (1)22.429.1268.29.21233 (22)8 (20).54 (3)1.4 (117)24% (2)39% (7).5 (12)4% (17)1.9 (90)

Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 1.49  #59
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.07  #66
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 14.58  #52
2026 Talent Rating: 886.00  #28
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Northwestern's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Northwestern's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.8  #51
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.4  #90
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.0  #30

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 1.49   Ohio State: 32.03

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 5.8   Ohio State: 30.1




Ohio State's Power Ratings
Ohio State's Power Rating: 32.03  #3
Ohio State's Offense Rating: 29.91  #3
Ohio State's Defense Rating: -2.53  #1
2026 Talent Rating: 1070.00  #6
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Ohio State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Ohio State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 30.1  #2
Ohio State's Offense SP+ Rating: 37.6  #13
Ohio State's Defense SP+ Rating: 7.7  #1

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 23.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 15.2
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 26

Northwestern's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Ohio State 36
Northwestern 8

Projected Total Points: 44
Ohio State Scoring
Offense: 33.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 41.6
Defense: 9.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 7.4

Ohio State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 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

(#59) NW at (#3) OSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNWOSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #59 #3
SP+SP+ #51 #2
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #28 #6
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Northwestern on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffOSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #57 #6
ExplosiveExp #108 #2
PPAPPA #83 #3
PowerPwr #66 #1
SP+SP+ #90 #1
Pts POPPO #116 #8
HavocHav #94 #57
Northwestern Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffOSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #46 #3
Run ExplRExp #92 #7
PPAExp #58 #4
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #64 #10
Stuff RateStuff #48 #14
TackleTak - NR
Northwestern Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffOSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #66 #32
Pass ExplPExl #97 #1
PPAExp #85 #5
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #33 #17
DB HavocDB #130 #108
Ohio State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatOSU OffNW Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #2 #117
ExplosiveExp #124 #12
PPAPPA #10 #72
PowerPwr #3 #52
SP+SP+ #13 #30
Pts POPPO #5 #41
HavocHav #6 #83
Ohio State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
OSU OffNW Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #47 #119
Run ExplRExp #133 #85
PPAExp #89 #108
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #61 #113
Stuff RateStuff #73 #118
TackleTak - NR
Ohio State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatOSU OffNW Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #1 #101
Pass ExplPExl #117 #6
PPAExp #3 #63
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #14 #93
DB HavocDB #17 #62
Program Comparison
OSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFB Elites
'26 Profile: Remains CFB Elites

NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Ohio Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Ohio State beat Northwestern in 2024 (31-7)

  
NW's OC Chip Kelly (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Aidan Chiles (Tr)12820363%13921036.9
Ryan Boe2729%17012.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caleb Komolafe190941115.056
Gavin Sawchuk (Tr)10948684.540
Joseph Himon II9948614.937
Aidan Chiles (Tr)8122762.864
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde71880812.449
Hayden Eligon Ii37521314.138
Ricky Ahumaraeze10200020.035
Drew Wagner2217227.840

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Tim McGarigle (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Braydon Brus815344
Braden Turner522012
Michael Kilbane428481
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Michael Kilbane428481
Braydon Brus815344
Mason Green11100
Kobie McKinzie (Tr)327140
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell291009
Brenden Deasfernandes (Tr)250008
Robert Fitzgerald1066014

OSU's OC Arthur Smith (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Julian Sayin30139177%36103289.2
Tavien St. Clair020%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Bo Jackson179109066.164
Isaiah West5931025.338
Ja'Kobi Jackson (Tr)279803.627
Jeremiah Smith32117.017
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jeremiah Smith8712431214.387
Devin Mccuin (Tr)65726811.252
Kyle Parker (Tr)31330410.643
Hunter Welcing (Tr)28296210.636

View Ohio State's Full Roster

OSU's DC Matt Patricia (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Earl Little II762002
Jaylen McClain530003
Christian Alliegro (Tr)488401
Payton Pierce442000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kenyatta Jackson2811722
Christian Alliegro (Tr)488401
Eddrick Houston214310
James Smith (Tr)267321
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dominick Kelly (Tr)30003
Jaylen McClain530003
Earl Little II762002