Ohio State vs. Northwestern: Big Ten Championship Prediction, Game Preview

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Northwestern Wildcats: Big Ten Championship prediction and game preview

Ohio State vs. Northwestern: Big Ten Championship prediction and game preview.


Ohio State vs. Northwestern: Big Ten Championship Broadcast

Date: Saturday, December 19
Game Time: 12:00 pm
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: FOX

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Ohio State (5-0) vs Northwestern (6-1) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM 


Three Reasons Why You Should Watch The Big Ten Championship

What does Ohio State have to do to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff? At this point, just win, and the team is almost certainly in no matter what – at worst, the CFP No. 4 Buckeyes will be one of a possible four Power Five conference champs with a win – and will almost certainly be off to the Rose Bowl as the 2 or 3 seed. However, it wouldn’t be a bad thing just to cement the spot with a dominant performance.

Northwestern has a few Big Ten championships with the 1995 season the last outright title, and now under Pat Fitzgerald it’s in the title game for the second time in three seasons. Absolutely no one is talking about the possibility of something bigger, though.

Could Northwestern actually get into the College Football Playoff if it beats the No. 4 team in the country and is a 7-1 Big Ten champion? The loss to Michigan State might make it too tough a task, but a win would put pressure on the committee.

It’s happening right out of the gate. It’s not one of the night games like it usually is, kicking off at noon at the same time as the Big 12 Championship and before the NFL games. It’s going to be a tone-setting game for the rest of Championship Saturday – maybe. Notre Dame and Clemson will know where they stand in the afternoon ACC Championship.

Why does that matter in any way? If Ohio State wins in a blowout, one spot is locked in. If it stumbles in a loss or doesn’t look great, that could change the narrative a bit, especially for the SEC Championship and Florida’s distant dream of getting into the CFP.

Why Ohio State, Northwestern Will Win
What’s Going to Happen, Prediction, History

NEXT: Why Ohio State Will Win, Why Northwestern Will Win, Ohio State vs. Northwestern Prediction

Big Ten Announces Champions Week Schedule, TV, Game Times

The Big Ten announces its Football Champions Week schedule along with the matchups, game times, and TV broadcast.

The Big Ten announces its Football Champions Week schedule 


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Big Ten Champions Week Schedule

With a shortened season, the Big Ten is keeping its season going with a Champions Week schedule to give teams another game before the bowl season.

Not everyone is a lock to go – Michigan is questionable, at best – and the original plan was scrapped, but the schedule is decent with a few traditional rivalries back on.

Originally, the idea was for the No. 2 team from the East to play the No. 2 team from the West, and so on. Instead, the league is going with the most interesting possible matchups.

Nebraska at Rutgers

Date: Friday, December 18
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: SHI Stadium, Piscataway NJ
Network: BTN

Purdue at Indiana

Date: Friday, December 18
Game Time: 8:30 ET
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
Network: BTN

Big Ten Championship

Ohio State vs. Northwestern

Date: Saturday, December 19
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: FOX

Minnesota at Wisconsin

Date: Saturday, December 19
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
Network: BTN

Illinois at Penn State

Date: Saturday, December 19
Game Time: 5:30 ET
Venue: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
Network: FS1

Michigan at Iowa

Date: Saturday, December 19
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
Network: ESPN

Michigan State at Maryland

Date: Saturday, December 19
Game Time: 8:30 ET
Venue: Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium, College Park, MD
Network: BTN

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Big Ten Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 15

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 15 of the season.

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 15 of the season.


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Results So Far
SU: 23-18, ATS: 22-18, Point Total: 19-21
– Bet on Big Ten football at BetMGM

Saturday, December 12

Illinois at Northwestern

12:00 ESPN2
Line: Northwestern -14.5, o/u: 40.5

Minnesota at Nebraska

12:00 FS1
Line: Nebraska -11, o/u: 59

Rutgers at Maryland

12:00 BTN
Line: Maryland -8.5, o/u: 58.5

Wisconsin at Iowa

3:30 FS1
Line: PICK, o/u: 42

[lawrence-related id=524820]

Michigan State at Penn State

3:30 ESPN
Line: Penn State -15.5, o/u: 47

Michigan at Ohio State

Canceled

Purdue at Indiana

Canceled

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Northwestern vs Illinois Prediction, Game Preview

Northwestern Wildcats vs Illinois Fighting Illini prediction and game preview.

Northwestern vs Illinois prediction and game preview.


Northwestern vs Illinois Broadcast

Date: Saturday, December 12
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Ryan Field, Evanston, IL
Network: ESPN2

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Northwestern (5-1) vs Illinois (2-4) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM


Why Illinois Will Win

Everything collapsed, but the Illini showed off a good first 20 minutes last week against Iowa, coming off a strong two games with wins over Rutgers and Nebraska on the road.

The Illini found a strong running game before last week, here hasn’t been a problem with turnovers, and the pass rush has been disruptive enough to be steadily productive.

Now they get to play a team that’s more than happy to keep games slow and low-scoring.

Northwestern is off to the Big Ten Championship next week to face Ohio State, and to have any shot it needs to find more of an offense – fast.

The Wildcats haven’t hit the 100-yard rushing mark in any of the last three games, the passing game isn’t quite picking up the slack, and the they can’t afford any blip in their style or else there’s a problem.

They got behind against Iowa, and they managed to win. They got behind against Michigan State and lost. Illinois has to get up fast like it did against the Hawkeyes.

Week 15 College Schedule

Why Northwestern Will Win

The pass defense is a killer.

It’ll give up yards – over 200 in four of the six games – but it’ll make a whole lot of big plays, generating 12 picks, just six touchdown passes, and nothing whatsoever deep.

It helps to have played a whole slew of mediocre passing games, but that’s Illinois, too.

There have been moments. Brandon Peters has been fine at times – hitting 72% of his passes for 205 yards against Nebraska – and he hasn’t thrown a pick in his three games.

Isaiah Williams has been getting his chances, too, but the Illini are dead last in the Big Ten in passing, dead last in pass efficient defense, and the defense as a whole is struggling.

It’s not going to take much for Northwestern to put this away. If it gets any sort of a lead, it can rely on the defense – which has been phenomenal in the second halves of games – to shut everything down.

What’s Going To Happen

Illinois has been just decent enough to screw this all up, but it won’t.

There won’t be enough offense to go along with a defensive side that’ll bother the Wildcats throughout. The Illini defensive front will be disruptive enough to force empty drive after empty drive, but the offense will give the ball away twice, Northwestern will capitalize on both of the chances, and it’ll be off to Indianapolis.

CFN Experts Picks: NFL

Northwestern vs Illinois Prediction, Line

Northwestern 30, Illinois 16
Bet on Northwestern vs Illinois with BetMGM
Northwestern -14.5, o/u: 40.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3

5: Wonder Woman 1984
1: A Holly Dolly Christmas

CFN 1-127 Rankings | Bowl & CFP Projections

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Big Ten Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 14

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 14 of the season.

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 14 of the season.


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Results So Far
SU: 20-16, ATS: 21-14, Point Total: 17-18
– Bet on Big Ten football at BetMGM

Saturday, December 5

Ohio State at Michigan State

12:00 ABC
Line: Ohio State -23.5, o/u: 59.5

Nebraska at Purdue

12:00 BTN
Line: Purdue -2, o/u: 61.5

Penn State at Rutgers

12:00 FS1
Line: Penn State -11.5, o/u: 54.5

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Indiana at Wisconsin

3:30 ABC
Line: Wisconsin -14.5, o/u: 45

Iowa at Illinois

3:30 FS1
Line: Iowa -13.5, o/u: 51

Maryland at Michigan

Canceled

Northwestern at Minnesota

Canceled

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Big Ten Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 13

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 13 of the season.

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 13 of the season.


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Results So Far
SU: 18-13, ATS: 17-13, Point Total: 15-15

– Bet on Big Ten football at BetMGM

Friday, November 27

Nebraska at Iowa

1:00 FOX
Line: Iowa -13.5, o/u: 52.5

Saturday, November 28

Ohio State at Illinois

12:00 FS1
Line: Ohio State -28.5, o/u: 70.5

CFN Experts Picks: College

Maryland at Indiana

12:00 ESPN2
Line: Indiana -12, o/u: 62

Penn State at Michigan

12:00 ABC
Line: Michigan -2, o/u: 58.5


Bet $1 on the Notre Dame money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if Notre Dame scores a touchdown this weekend. Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!


Northwestern at Michigan State

3:30 ESPN2
Line: Northwestern -13, o/u: 42.5

Rutgers at Purdue

4:00 FS1
Line: Purdue -12, o/u: 58.5

Minnesota at Wisconsin

Canceled

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Northwestern vs Michigan State Prediction, Game Preview

Northwestern Wildcats vs Michigan State Spartans prediction and game preview.

Northwestern vs Michigan State prediction and game preview.


Northwestern vs Michigan State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
Network: ESPN2

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Northwestern (5-0) vs Michigan State (1-3) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM


Why Northwestern Will Win

It might not be pretty, it might make for rough games, but it’s what Northwestern does, and it’s working perfectly.

Did the offense do anything against Wisconsin? No, but there weren’t any turnover issues outside of a key fumble on the goal line.

Did the Badgers outgain the Wildcats? By a lot, but Northwestern’s D forced five takeaways and was dominant on third downs.

The NU defensive line has been a rock, the secondary leads the nation in pass efficiency D, and only Wisconsin is better at third down stops.

Michigan State is struggling to move the ball, it’s one of the worst teams in the nation in time of possession, and when it comes to turnovers … 14. The Spartans are dead last in the Big Ten in giveaways.

Why Michigan State Will Win

Can the Spartans get hot early?

There’s no running game, and the offense came up with just 191 yards against Indiana, but at home and with a few weeks to rest up and prepare, Michigan State has to get going early with the passing game to make Northwestern try to come back.

The Wildcats were able to do it against Iowa, but it goes against their nature. This is a team that needs and wants to maintain control throughout, and having to scramble a bit will be an issue if the Spartans can click at all through the air.

For all of the good things Northwestern does, it hasn’t hit the 300-yard mark in total offense in three of the last four games and hasn’t run for more than 80 yards in the past two games. MSU’s D isn’t a rock, but it hasn’t been bad against the run – only Iowa came up with over 200 yards.

CFN Experts Picks: College

What’s Going To Happen

Northwestern will stay Northwestern.

It’ll be outgained by Michigan State by at least 50 yards – probably closer to 100 – but three takeaways and total control of the clock will keep the big season going. Expect the Wildcats to have the ball for well over 35 minutes.

Northwestern vs Michigan State Prediction, Line

Northwestern 23, Michigan State 13
Bet on Northwestern vs Michigan State with BetMGM
Northwestern -13.5, o/u: 42
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: Thanksgiving beef tenderloin
1: Thanksgiving turkey

CFN Rankings 1-127 | CFN Bowl Projections
20 Most Important College Football Thoughts Ever

Bet $1 on the Notre Dame money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if Notre Dame scores a touchdown this weekend. Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!


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Big Ten Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 12

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the season.

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the season.


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Results So Far
SU: 14-10, ATS: 12-12, Point Total: 12-12

– Bet on Big Ten football at BetMGM

Friday, November 20

Minnesota at Purdue

7:30 BTN
Line: Purdue -3.5, o/u: 62.5

Saturday, November 21

Indiana at Ohio State

12:00 FOX
Line: Ohio State -20.5, o/u: 66.5

Illinois at Nebraska

12:00 BTN
Line: Nebraska -15.5, o/u: 59

CFN Experts Picks, Predictions: Week 12

Michigan State at Maryland

12:00 BTN
Line: Maryland -6.5, o/u: 56.5

Wisconsin at Northwestern

3:30 ABC
Line: Wisconsin -7.5, o/u: 44

Iowa at Penn State

3:30 BTN
Line: Iowa -2.5, o/u: 47.5

Michigan at Rutgers

7:30 BTN
Line: Michigan -10.5, o/u: 54.5


Bet $1 on the Notre Dame money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if Notre Dame scores a touchdown this weekend. Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!


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Wisconsin vs Northwestern Prediction, Game Preview

Wisconsin Badgers vs Northwestern Wildcats prediction and game preview.

Wisconsin vs Northwestern prediction and game preview.


Wisconsin vs Northwestern Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 21
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Ryan Field, Evanston, IL
Network: ABC

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Wisconsin (2-0) vs Northwestern (4-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM


Why Wisconsin Will Win

It’s only a two-game sample size, but Wisconsin has been totally dominant.

It was like this way early last year, too – and the the Illinois loss happened – but Wisconsin is being Wisconsin. It owns third downs, it’s No. 1 in the nation in fewest penalties per game, it’s No. 1 in run defense, No. 1 in scoring defense, and in the most Wisconsin way of all, it’s No. 1 in time of possession by a mile.

41:51. Again, it’s only a two-game run so far, but the Badgers are holding the ball for close to 42 minutes per game. Considering Northwestern lives on handling the tempo and making games go its way, Wisconsin’s ability to keep things moving is a problem.

More than that, Northwestern is about to have a rough time on the ground – the Badgers have allowed just two decent runs, giving up 178 yards in the first two games. The defense is swarming, but …

Why Northwestern Will Win

The Northwestern lines have been fantastic.

The run defense is a killer – only Nebraska got past 77 yards among the four games on the Wildcat schedule – and the offensive front has given the program a real, live offense again coming off a disastrous 2019.

Yes, Wisconsin controls the clock with gut-punch drives that grind out games, but that suits Northwestern just fine. The Cats have no problems on third downs on either side of the ball, they’re fine with the midrange passes without taking a whole slew of chances and playing the long game.

This team is a master of hanging around, hanging around, hanging around … and then pouncing when it gets the chance. No one knows that better than Wisconsin, especially in Evanston.

What’s Going To Happen

This was supposed to be played in Wrigley Field, but as is, the – most likely – game for the Big Ten West title will be just fine at Ryan Field.

Last year’s Northwestern team was a hot mess, and yet it gave Wisconsin a bigger fight than anyone did in the first six games. And why? Two takeaways.

In 2018, Jack Coan filled in for an injured Alex Hornibrook, wasn’t able to throw, Jonathan Taylor dropped the ball, and Northwestern came up with three takeaways in the win.

In 2017, Northwestern lost, but forced three turnovers. Famously, a fantastic Badger team turned it over five times in a loss to the Cats after giving it away four times in 2014 – both Northwestern wins.

Over the last seven years, Northwestern has forced 20 takeaways – Pat Fitzgerald has found a way to make the team that never screws up to always screw up.

The Badgers will pull this off, but it’s going to be a very tough, very nasty fight against a Northwestern team that’s the absolute real deal. Wisconsin’s defense will have to hold on for dear life on two late Wildcat drives with a shot at the win.

CFN Experts Picks, Predictions: Week 12

Wisconsin vs Northwestern Prediction, Line

Wisconsin 26, Northwestern 20
Bet on Wisconsin vs Northwestern with BetMGM
Wisconsin -7.5, o/u: 44
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5

Must See Rating: 4.5

5: The Crown: Season 4
1: A Nashville Christmas Carol


Bet $1 on the Notre Dame money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if Notre Dame scores a touchdown this weekend. Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!


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Big Ten Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 11

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 11 of the season.

Big Ten college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 11 of the season.


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Results So Far
SU: 11-8, ATS: 9-10, Point Total: 10-9

– Bet on Big Ten football at BetMGM

Friday, November 13

Iowa at Minnesota

7:00 FS1
Line: Iowa -3.5, o/u: 57.5

Saturday, November 14

Indiana at Michigan State

12:00 ABC
Line: Indiana -7.5, o/u: 52

Illinois at Rutgers

12:00 BTN
Line: Rutgers -4.5, o/u: 52

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Penn State at Nebraska

12:00 FS1
Line: Penn State-3.5, o/u: 56

Ohio State at Maryland

3:30 BTN
Line: Ohio State -25.5, o/u: 71.5

Wisconsin at Michigan

7:30 ABC
Line: Wisconsin -3.5, o/u: 53.5

Northwestern at Purdue

7:30 BTN
Line: Northwestern -3, o/u: 51.5

– Bet on Big Ten football at BetMGM

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