The Northwestern Wildcats vs. Ohio State Buckeyes matchup takes center stage on Saturday, November 14, as both teams look to improve their Big Ten records and strengthen their postseason hopes. The Week 11 college football game will take place at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State enters the contest ranked No. 20 nationally with a 6-3 overall record and a 4-2 mark in Big Ten play. Northwestern also sits at 6-3, including a 3-3 conference record, and will look to bounce back after losing to Iowa last weekend.
For the Buckeyes, Saturday’s game carries significant importance. After consecutive defeats against USC and Oregon, Ohio State needs to get back on track to remain in contention for the College Football Playoff. Northwestern, meanwhile, has already secured bowl eligibility and is looking to produce a major upset on the road.
Northwestern vs Ohio State: Game Details
- Matchup: Northwestern Wildcats vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
- Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET
- Venue: Ohio Stadium
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- TV Channel: FOX
- Streaming: FOX One and FOX Sports platforms
- Ohio State Record: 6-3 (4-2 Big Ten)
- Northwestern Record: 6-3 (3-3 Big Ten)
Northwestern Looks to Bounce Back After Iowa Defeat
Northwestern enters the Ohio State game following a 24-10 loss against Iowa on November 7. Despite the defeat, the Wildcats showed some encouraging signs on both sides of the football.
Quarterback Nicco Marchiol completed 24 of 32 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown. He also contributed 52 rushing yards, leading Northwestern in rushing during the contest.
Joseph Himon II caught Northwestern’s only touchdown pass, bringing his receiving touchdown total to four for the season. Griffin Wilde and tight end Luke Dehnicke each recorded five receptions for 52 yards.
Defensively, Northwestern limited Iowa to 296 total yards. Robert Fitzgerald recorded an interception, extending his streak of consecutive games with a takeaway to three. Linebacker Kobie McKinzie led the Wildcats with nine tackles.
One of Northwestern’s biggest strengths this season has been its ability to protect the football. The Wildcats enter Saturday with a plus-12 turnover margin, tied for fourth nationally, while committing only three turnovers throughout the season.
That ball security could become particularly important against an Ohio State team looking to regain its defensive and offensive confidence.
Ohio State Faces Pressure After Two Consecutive Losses
The Ohio State Buckeyes have experienced a difficult stretch after beginning the season with a 6-1 record.
Back-to-back defeats against USC and Oregon have put their postseason ambitions under pressure. Ohio State lost 30-18 against USC on October 31 before suffering a 41-28 home defeat against Oregon on November 7.
The Buckeyes now have little room for error if they want to remain in the College Football Playoff discussion.
However, the team continues to possess considerable offensive talent. Ohio State averages 35.7 points and 467.9 total yards per game, while its defense allows only 18.3 points and 287 yards per contest.
The biggest concern remains the quarterback situation. Starting quarterback Julian Sayin is sidelined with a fractured right elbow and will miss his third consecutive game.
His absence places additional responsibility on Ohio State’s backup quarterback as the team attempts to improve its offensive consistency.
The Buckeyes also have concerns along the offensive line. Left guard Luke Montgomery is listed as doubtful, while right tackle Phillip Daniels is questionable. Running back Ja’Kobi Jackson has been ruled out.
Jeremiah Smith Could Be the Difference-Maker
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith remains Ohio State’s most important offensive weapon heading into the Northwestern matchup.
Smith has recorded 69 receptions for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He ranks second nationally in receiving yards and is tied for the national lead in touchdown receptions.
His ability to create explosive plays could present a major challenge for Northwestern’s secondary.
With Sayin unavailable, Ohio State will need its backup quarterback to establish a strong connection with Smith and take advantage of the opportunities created by the Wildcats’ defensive coverage.
Northwestern must find a way to limit Smith’s production if it hopes to compete throughout the game.
Injury Report: Northwestern vs Ohio State
Both teams enter the matchup dealing with important injuries.
Ohio State injuries:
- Julian Sayin: Out with a fractured right elbow.
- Luke Montgomery: Doubtful.
- Phillip Daniels: Questionable.
- Ja’Kobi Jackson: Out.
Northwestern injuries:
- Aidan Chiles: Sidelined with an upper-body injury.
- Nicco Marchiol: Expected to lead the offense again.
The quarterback situations could have a significant influence on the outcome. Neither team is expected to have its original starting quarterback available, making offensive execution particularly important.
Northwestern vs Ohio State Prediction
The Northwestern vs Ohio State prediction favors the Buckeyes, although their recent performances and injury concerns make this an important test.
Ohio State has struggled over its last two games, but its offensive production and defensive numbers remain impressive. Playing at Ohio Stadium also gives the Buckeyes a significant home-field advantage.
Northwestern has reasons to be confident. The Wildcats have protected the football exceptionally well and demonstrated that their defense can keep games competitive.
However, stopping Jeremiah Smith and containing Ohio State’s overall offensive talent will be a difficult assignment.
Northwestern could remain competitive during the opening stages, particularly if Marchiol avoids turnovers and makes effective decisions through the air. The Wildcats will also need to find ways to attack Ohio State’s defensive weaknesses.
Ultimately, Ohio State has more offensive firepower and should have enough defensive strength to control the matchup.
Final Score Prediction: Ohio State 27, Northwestern 17.
Ohio State vs Northwestern: How to Watch for Free
Fans looking to watch Ohio State vs Northwestern can catch the nationally televised game on FOX.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon Eastern Time on Saturday, November 14, from Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Here are the broadcast details:
- TV Channel: FOX
- Live Streaming: FOX One and FOX Sports platforms
- Free Viewing: A local FOX affiliate can be accessed with a compatible TV antenna.
- Additional Option: Eligible viewers may be able to access a promotional FOX One free trial through Amazon.
The game will feature Connor Onion on play-by-play, Robert Griffin III as the analyst and Alexa Landestoy reporting from the sidelines.
Northwestern vs Ohio State: Head-to-Head History
Ohio State has historically dominated this Big Ten rivalry.
The Buckeyes hold a 66-14-1 advantage in the all-time series and have won 11 consecutive meetings against Northwestern.
Their most recent meeting in 2024 ended in a 31-7 Ohio State victory at Wrigley Field.
Northwestern has not defeated Ohio State since 2004 and has not won a game in Columbus since 1971.
The Wildcats will attempt to end that long losing streak, while the Buckeyes will be focused on protecting their home field and returning to the win column.
Final Thoughts
The Northwestern vs Ohio State matchup presents an important opportunity for both programs during Week 11 of the 2026 college football season.
Northwestern wants to build momentum after securing bowl eligibility, while Ohio State needs a victory to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive.
The Wildcats’ turnover discipline could make the game interesting, but Jeremiah Smith’s outstanding production and Ohio State’s home advantage make the Buckeyes the predicted winners.
Ohio State enters as the projected winner, with a 27-17 victory representing the expected outcome.
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