Ohio State vs. Northwestern Big Ten Championship Game final thoughts

It’s almost time for kickoff between Ohio State and Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game. We’ve got some final thoughts.

It’s here. Ohio State and Northwestern have both cleared COVID-19 testing and are ready to face off for the Big Ten title in Lucas Oil Stadium at Noon. If the Buckeyes win, it’ll be their fourth-straight Big Ten championship and clears the decks for a path to the College Football Playoff. That’s the expected result from almost everyone.

However, Northwestern has other designs. It has surprised everyone so far this year after an abysmal showing in 2019 and are looking to spring the shocker and take home its first Big Ten Championship Game win.

As we get ready for the game, we thought we throw out some final thoughts and senseless musings to get you ready for what’s about to go down in Indy.

NEXT … Final thoughts before the Big Ten Championship Game

Ohio State-Northwestern: How and where to watch and listen to the Big Ten Championship game Saturday

Find all the information you need to watch and listen to the 2020 Big Ten Championship Game between Ohio State and Northwestern.

We’ve finally reached championship Saturday after what seems like an incredibly long (yet short) season. Ohio State is going into the Big Ten Championship game as a heavy favorite and the odds have increased since the beginning of the week.

Rumors have been floating around that the Bucks may be dealing with some COVID related illnesses. We won’t know for sure until just before kickoff when Ohio State will release its player availability report. Word on the street is that one of the players missing could be Chris Olave, but that is pure speculation at this point.

That would be a huge blow to the Buckeye offense, but if there is one place the Ohio State team has depth, it is at the wide receiver position. Of course, should OSU win the Big Ten Championship game, any players who have tested positive for COVID-19 would be at risk of missing the national semi-final because of rules set forth by the conference to sit out 21 days.

Before we get too far ahead though, let’s focus on the task at hand. Win the Big Ten and the Bucks are in! Here is how to find the game.

[lawrence-related id=42644]

NEXT … Television, streaming, and radio information

Five bold predictions for Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game

Ohio State will face off with Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game Saturday at Noon. Here are five bold predictions.

It’s almost time. Ohio State is traveling to Indianapolis to take on Northwestern in the tenth edition of the Big Ten Championship Game. If the Buckeyes win, it’ll be their fourth-straight conference title, and fifth championship game win overall.

OSU is a prohibitive favorite, but you never know how these things will play out until the players step off the bus, warm-up, and get the whole thing going on the field. Northwestern throws out a formidable defense and is about as well a coached team as you’re going to find. We also hear they’re pretty smart in those neck of the woods.

There are some things you feel pretty good about, like Justin Fields scoring a touchdown, but others might be a little off the reservation. We’re going out on limb and providing you with five bold predictions for the Big Ten Championship Game tomorrow.

NEXT … Northwestern will rush for under 100 yards

Ohio State player availability for Big Ten Championship Game not available until Saturday amid coronavirus rumors

Amid coronavirus rumors, Ohio State will not release its player availability report for the Big Ten Championship Game until Saturday.

We want to be very clear that there has been nothing official from Ohio State, and that head coach Ryan Day confirmed that the team is on schedule to fly and play the Big Ten Championship Game against Northwestern Saturday.

However, we will address it because the rumors are flying hot and heavy about the Buckeyes being in the midst of another mild coronavirus outbreak. And while we normally get a player availability report on Fridays, there will not be one provided from the OSU athletic department until Saturday morning about an hour prior to game time.

Read what you will with that, and as soon as we get that report, we’ll have confirmation of who is with the team and not. We will of course respect the privacy of the individual players as the university always does, but any absences from such an important game will indeed be noteworthy as Ohio State goes for its fourth-straight Big Ten championship.

So, long story short — stay tuned, and as soon as Ohio State releases this information, we’ll have it for you tomorrow morning.

[listicle id=42635]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Buckeyes Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.

Ohio State odds to beat Northwestern in Big Ten Championship Game inch up according to BetMGM

Ohio State’s odds to beat Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game have inched up ever so slightly according to BetMGM.

Ohio State was already a prohibitive favorite to take care of Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game Saturday, and now those odds have inched up ever so slightly according to BetMGM.

Upon the original release by the popular sportsbook, the Buckeyes were favored by -19.5. That has now gone up a whole half of a point to -20. It is significant though because that’s a pretty important figure that could have folks winning or losing at a common point total in the game of American football.

If the Buckeyes take care of business as expected, they will win their fourth-straight Big Ten championship and most likely be headed to the Rose Bowl as one of the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

But don’t look past Northwestern. This team has a great defense and is as well-coached as any team you will find.

The game is set to kick off at Noon Saturday in Lucas Oil Stadium. FOX Sports will have broadcast.

Ohio State’s history in the Big Ten Championship Game

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

 

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Buckeyes Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.

Five keys to an Ohio State victory over Northwestern

Five keys to an Ohio State victory over Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game comes down to Justin Fields and more.

Ohio State is once again in the Big Ten Championship Game, and for the second time in the last 3 years, the Buckeyes take on Northwestern. With a strange 2020 season almost in the books, preparing for this game feels a little different. That does not mean Ohio State should take Northwestern lightly or without regard.

With Ohio State being huge favorites in this game, there are some keys to victory the Buckeyes should adhere to if they want to walk out victors. An extra week off probably helps Ryan Day and the staff more than it does the players, and if the Buckeyes want to continue their march toward the playoffs, they must win this game. Onward to five keys toward a Buckeyes’ victory.

[lawrence-related id=42308]

NEXT…Don’t force plays to happen on offense

Three Reasons Northwestern could give Ohio State some fits in the Big Ten Championship Game

Ohio State will meet Northwestern for the 2nd time in 3 years in the Big Ten Championship Game. Here are 3 reasons the Wildcats could hang.

It’s almost time for another Ohio State appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game. It’ll be the fourth-straight time the Buckeyes have found themselves in Indianapolis and the second time in three years Northwestern will be the opponent.

On paper, it looks like a mismatch, but any team coached by Pat Fitzgerald is coaching a team, it is going to have a chip on its shoulder and give all-out effort. There may be a big gap in talent between the two programs but you can bet the Wildcats have the belief they can hang, and beat, the Buckeyes.

And it’s not just lip service either. There are some reasons to believe that Northwestern could make this thing a game and give Ohio State some problems.

Here are three reasons Chicago’s Big Ten team could provide more than a little resistance against the Buckeyes on Saturday.

NEXT … Defense

Ohio State releases Big Ten Championship Game trailer

Ohio State football has dropped the trailer and hype video for the Big Ten Championship Game against Northwestern. It’s good folks.

I’ve yet to watch one of these that I don’t like, and it seems like each one gets better and better. When Ohio State set out to embark on this unparalleled and unprecedented journey to the 2020 season, near the top of the list was to win a Big Ten championship.

The Buckeyes will have the opportunity at Noon against Northwestern in Indianapolis, and you can almost feel the excitement emanating from the program.

Each week on Thursday, Ohio State drops a Hollywood worthy trailer for the next game, and we got a look at what the creative team released on Thursday. Of course, you know this, but it is amazing and will get your adrenaline going and your heart racing.

Click on the below and watch some of the work Ohio State has put in to fight for its fourth Big Ten championship.

The game is set for Noon on FOX. Joel Klatt and Gus Johnson have the call.

 

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Buckeyes Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.

Five Reasons Ohio State will beat Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game

Ohio State and Northwestern are set to face off for the Big Ten Championship on Saturday in Indy. Here are five reasons the Buckeyes win.

One of the Ohio State football team’s biggest goals of the 2020 season was to play in — and win — another Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes will have that opportunity on Saturday when they face the West division champion, Northwestern Wildcats.

Not many folks are giving Northwestern much of a chance in this one, but it’s a program built on overachieving and proving all the doubters wrong. That’s been the culture under Pat Fitzgerald and it has continued in 2020. Just when you think the Wildcats don’t have the personnel to hang with the more so-called talented squads, they show what a well-coached team they are and do some pretty amazing things.

But beating Ohio State on Saturday is a whole different animal, something that isn’t lost on Fitzgerald. Northwestern may have to play its best, most-inspired game of the season to shock the college football world. So yeah, it’s a big challenge.

Here are five reasons Ohio State will be Northwestern on Saturday in Indy.

NEXT … It’s simple math. Skill.

Watch what Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald said about Ohio State prior to the Big Ten Championship Game

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald met with media earlier this week to discuss the matchup with Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Ohio State is headed to Indianapolis to play in its fourth-straight Big Ten Championship Game. The opponent is the same one that the Buckeyes met two years ago in Lucas Oil Stadium, the Northwestern Wildcats.

That of course means we get to hear and see Pat Fitzgerald and his brutally honest comments and press conferences. As he’s aged, he’s become a pretty good sound bite and one that isn’t afraid to speak his mind.

This week, the Buckeyes are on Fitzgerald’s mind and he took the opportunity to discuss the upcoming game with media members earlier this week. We always like to check in and see what the opposition is saying about OSU prior to the game and it’s no different here.

If you missed any of the Northwestern head man’s comments leading into the game, you can watch and listen to them all thanks to the YouTube channel of Northwestern Athletics. Click on the below and listen to Fitzgerald discuss how talented Ohio State is, how he voted for Ryan Day as Big Ten Coach of the Year, the talent of competing with the Buckeyes, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7RKpUR-tT4

Ohio State and Northwestern will kick off at Noon. You can watch the action on FOX with Joel Klatt and Gus Johnson having the call.

[lawrence-related id=42386,42339]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Buckeyes Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.