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Northwestern v. Ohio State Football Picks & Predictions

Written November 5, 2008 by Jack Jones

This Saturday the Northwestern Wildcats will play host to the No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes. Both of these teams come into the contest at 7-2 overall, but the college football odds makers are showing Ohio State as the 11-point favorite with the total set at 42.

The Buckeyes are coming off a loss to Penn State at home two weeks ago, 13-6, but Northwestern is coming off an impressive 24-17 win over Minnesota. The Wildcats have now won two out of their last three and could be in for a strong bowl if they finish strong. The team has a good chance to do so with two of their final three regular season games coming in Evanston. However, facing the Buckeyes has been a tough task for them as of late, losing the last three games by a combined 160-24.

Ohio State’s struggles this year have come on the offensive side of the ball and against the Nittany Lions it was no different. Terrelle Pryor only had six yards on nine rushes while completing 16-of-25 for 226 yards through the air. The Buckeyes are averaging 24.6 ppg and 318.3 ypg on the year with Pryor rushing for 417 yards and five touchdowns while throwing for 879 yards and six scores. The freshman is still learning how to play at this level but there is no doubt that he will be a star before his career is over. Beanie Wells has been hampered by injuries this year, and has only rushed for 674 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensively, Ohio State is much stronger. They held Penn State to 13 points and 281 yards even though the Nittany Lions came in with one of the highest ranked offenses in the nation. Only twice has the team allowed more than 17 points in a game, with a 13.3 ppg and 267.1 total ypg average. The only real blip on the radar was the game against the Trojans, but outside of that showing this unit has looked as good as any in the country. The opposition is running for just 3.6 ypc and 8.8 yards per pass completion. Bookmaker has Ohio State listed as 11-point favorites, and you can get a 20% signup bonus on your initial deposit!

Quarterback Mike Kafka did it all for the Wildcats in last week’s win over the Gophers. He had 217 yards on 27 attempts and also threw two touchdowns and for 143 yards. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his part in the upset win. Kafka isn’t even the normal starter, as CJ Bacher had to miss the game with a hamstring injury. If Bacher can go then he’ll start, but if not it will be up to Kafka once again to lead the Northwestern offense that is putting up 26.2 ppg and 377.1 ypg. Northwestern has scored 13 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing touchdowns, but the ground game suffered a blow when Tyrell Sutton was lost for the year with a wrist injury.

Even though the Wildcats allowed the Gophers to gain 395 yards, they only surrendered 10 points. The biggest play of the game came when Brendan Smith intercepted a pass with 12 seconds remaining and returned it for the game-winning score. Even though opponents are only scoring 18.1 ppg the team is allowing 341.8 ypg. Even though the Wildcats are tough against the run, allowing 109.3 ypg on 3.3 ypc, their pass defense has been suspect. You can get Northwestern at +11.5 at BetUS and also get up to 145% in initial signup bonuses!

Free football picks on the score of this game: Ohio State 24, Northwestern 14

Get more college football picks this week to help make sure you win more with your football betting.

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