Ohio State Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Northwestern in Week 8

Ohio State football faces a tough Friday night matchup against Northwestern on the road in Week 8. Will the Buckeyes be on upset alert?

You know that when the talk of the week is about grass, the matchup is probably going to be relatively lopsided. And it is, at least on paper.

Northwestern is hoping to keep things closer than it was last season in the Big Ten Championship Game against the Buckeyes when the Wildcats were smacked around 45-24. A home matchup on a Friday night might be the best chance to catch Ohio State off-guard, but even then it’s going to be difficult to match up with the Buckeyes’ elite athleticism.

And let’s not even get started on the depth Ohio State has at just about every position. On paper, this game shouldn’t even be close, but Northwestern can be pesky.

What can we expect from the Friday night Big Ten battle?

3. Buckeyes pick off Northwestern four times

If there’s one thing Northwestern can rely on this season, it’s shaky quarterback play. Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson was expected to be the answer for the Wildcats, following up Clayton Thorson, but that hasn’t been the case so far.

In fact, Johnson has passed for just 367 yards and one touchdown with four picks and has a 48 percent completion rate. He’s been nothing short of a disappointment for Pat Fitzgerald and the Wildcats’ offense, but his backup hasn’t been much better.

Aidan Smith, a junior, has 273 yards and one touchdown with four picks as well. He’s completing 49 percent of his passes and his longest throw of the year is just 23 yards. Ohio State is going to absolutely eat these two quarterbacks up — Johnson has yet to be ruled out after being injured.

The Buckeye defense will make life miserable for both quarterbacks as Johnson will start and throw two picks while Smith will come in and throw another two in the second half.