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#6 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1; 8-1 Big Ten East) vs #21 Northwestern Wildcats (8-4; 8-1 Big Ten West)
8:00 p.m. ET, December 1, 2018--FOX
Lucas Oil Stadium (Capacity: 67,455 / Indianapolis, IN)
| Ohio State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Northwestern | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 181.4 (56) | 134.7 (32) | Rushing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 362.5 (2) | 238.0 (79) | Passing Defense (ypg) |
 |
| Pass Efficiency | 171.90 (5) | 126.52 (53) | Pass Efficiency Defense | |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 543.9 (2) | 372.7 (48) | Total Defense (ypg) | |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 43.3 (7) | 21.7 (T - 29) | Scoring Defense (ppg) | Push |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 161.3 (62) | 114.8 (119) | Rushing Offense (ypg) |
|
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 237.6 (77) | 237.0 (T - 61) | Passing Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 123.92 (47) | 116.76 (113) | Pass Efficiency |
|
| Total Defense (ypg) | 398.8 (67) | 351.8 (110) | Total Offense (ypg) | |
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 25.8 (57) | 23.7 (107) | Scoring Offense (ppg) |
|
| Punt Return Defense (ypr) | 3.78 (13) | 6.30 (95) | Punt Return Yds |
|
| Punt Return Yds | 8.28 (72) | 7.25 (51) | Punt Return Defense (ypr) | Push |
| Net Punting Yds | 41.65 (7) | 37.65 (60) | Net Punting Yds |
|
| Kickoff Return Yds | 17.5 (114) | 19.33 (37)) | Kickoff Return Defense |
|
| Kickoff Return Defense | 15.23 (3) | 22.25 (37) | Kickoff Return Yds |
> |
| Turnover Margin | +0.42 (T - 35) | +.25 (T - 44) | Turnover Margin | Push |
| Passes Had Intercepted | 7 (T - 30) | 9 (T - 68) | Passes Intercepted | |
| Passes Intercepted | 9 (T - 68) | 13 (T - 101) | Passes Had Intercepted | |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 76.0 (125) | 26.67 (1) | Penalty Yds/Game |
|
| Sacks | 2.83 (T - 21) | 2.42 (T - 82) | Sacks Allowed |
|
| Sacks Allowed | 1.33 (T - 23) | 1.42 (113) | Sacks |
|
| Tackles for Loss (tpg) | 7.10 (T - 30) | 5.42 (T - 41) | Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg) | Push |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg) | 4.67 (T - 17) | 5.3 (T - 93) | Tackles for Loss (tpg) |
|
| Redzone Offense (%) | 76.7% (117) | 82.9% (T - 64) | Redzone Defense (%) |
|
| Redzone Defense (%) | 88.9% (T - 104) | 82.5% (T - 77) | Redzone Offense (%) | |
| Redzone TD % | 60.00% | 45.71% | Redzone TD % Defense | Push |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 66.673% | 62.502% | Redzone TD % | Push |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 47.4% (14) | 34.7% (31) | 3rd Down Defense % | Push |
| 3rd Down Defense % | 31.2% (10) | 40.4% (57) | 3rd Down Conv. % | |
| 4th Down Conv. % | 63.2% (24) | 33.3% (8) | 4th Down Defense % | Push |
| 4th Down Defense % | 53.3% (T - 73) | 42.9% (T - 106) | 4th Down Conv. % | |
| 1st Downs | 350 (1) | 227 (T - 411) | 1st Downs Allowed | |
| 1st Downs Allowed | 235 (T - 52) | 249 (T - 68) | 1st Downs | Push |
| Time of Possession | 32 (24) | 30 (56) | Time of Possession | |
| Strength of Schedule | 46 | 24 | Strength of Schedule | Push |
Difference >25 in National Rank = 
Difference >50 in National Rank =
Difference >75 in National Rank =
Difference >100 in National Rank =
Note:
All of the above rankings are taken directly from the NCAA except for strength of schedule, which is not ranked by the NCAA and instead taken from S&P+.
The Redzone TD% and Redzone TD% Defense are calculated by me and not ranked by the NCAA. Determining who has the advantage in these categories is strictly my arbitrary judgment.
Quick thoughts:
Maybe Northwestern can play the majority of the game in the redzones (either one) in order to keep it close?
Nah, this one’ll be a blowout. Last week Dwayne Haskins and OSU had their most complete game of the season - and it was against one of the best teams in college football. The question on this game is, will the Buckeyes win by enough to vault over Oklahoma to secure a spot in the playoffs?
What say you all?