Nov. 7, 2005
NU FB Game Notes (vs. Ohio State)
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ABC Television Coverage (NU-Ohio State)Download Free Acrobat Reader
EVANSTON, Ill. -- With Saturday's stunning 28-27 come-from-behind victory over Iowa, Northwestern's Big Ten title hopes remain alive. After coming within one play of defeating conference leader Penn State in their league opener on Sept. 24, the 25th-ranked Wildcats have bounced back to win four of their last five games to stay in the Big Ten race.
Granted, the 'Cats need some help (a Michigan State win over Penn State on Nov. 19) to earn their fourth Big Ten title since 1995. But the bigger challenge, perhaps, comes this Saturday, Nov. 12 in Columbus, Ohio, when now-bowl-eligible Northwestern visits the 10th-ranked Buckeyes, who are also gunning for a Big Ten title. Kickoff is set for 11:10 a.m. CT at Ohio Stadium. ABC is televising the game to a split national audience.
Defense-driven Ohio State enters Saturday's game with Northwestern tied on the loss side with Penn State. The Buckeyes, who have won four straight contests, need victories over the Wildcats and Wolverines to assure a share of the Big Ten crown. With two wins and a Penn State loss, Ohio State would win the Big Ten outright and claim the league's BCS bowl berth.
First things, first, however. The Wildcats and Buckeyes hooked up in a memorable 2004 game at Ryan Field. Northwestern ended a 33-year victory drought against OSU, winning 33-27 in overtime. To duplicate a similar result in 2005, the Wildcats will have to solve the Big Ten's best defense and special teams, as well as stop a dangerous offense. Northwestern is seeking consecutive wins over OSU for the first time since 1962 and '63.
The Buckeyes' highly touted defense is led by one of the nation's best linebacking corps: A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel. As a team, Ohio State is allowing just 280.2 yards per game (seventh-best nationally) and 76.6 yards per rushing (third-best nationally). The Wildcat offense, which has been held to less than 500 yards in their last two games, is ranked seventh nationally in total offense (508.1 ypg).
Ohio State's offense revolves around quarterback Troy Smith, who ranks fourth nationally in pass efficiency, and its dangerous skill players Santonio Holmes, Ted Ginn Jr. and Antonio Pittman. Ginn, who has three receiving TD's, has returned both a punt and a kickoff for scores this year. Pittman needs 22 yards to become a 1,000-yard rusher this year.
The Broadcasts
Radio -- WGN (720 AM) will carry the game live with its pregame show starting at 10:30 a.m. The radio broadcast can also be heard via the internet at wgnradio.com. Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Ted Albrecht (analyst) call the action. WNUR (89.3), NU's student radio station, also will carry the game live. The contest is also available on the XM Satellite Radio network. (Big Ten channels 196-199).
Television -- ABC is televising the game to a regional audience. Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst) and Jack Arute (sideline) call the action.
(For a complete set of game notes, see the PDF above.)