The second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Wrigley Field on Saturday for a college football showdown with the Northwestern Wildcats. With a highly anticipated matchup against Indiana next weekend, could the Buckeyes get caught looking ahead?
Northwestern (4-5) is the clear underdog right now with the Buckeyes (8-1) being 28.5-point favorites at all the top sportsbooks. The over/under for the game is set between 43.5 and 44.5 points.
Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find as of publication; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds.
Best Ohio State vs. Northwestern game picks for CFB Week 12
- Over 43.5: -115 at FanDuel
- Ohio State over 20.5 first half points: -120 at bet365
The Ohio State Buckeyes’ offense is back in full swing after moving Donovan Jackson out to offensive tackle to replace the injured Joshua Simmons. Since doing so, the team has had dependable play at left tackle, and the passing game has found its spark.
The Buckeyes proved that last week when they dominated Purdue, 45-0. Against a Northwestern team that went to overtime against the Boilermakers, we should expect to see similar scoring from Ohio State.
Should the Buckeyes not reach 43.5 points on their own, having Northwestern available for additional points makes the over a clear choice.
Additionally, the Buckeyes scored 21 points or more in the first half in five of seven games when Simmons was healthy. After Jackson got some experience at left tackle, the team did it again versus Purdue.
Against a Northwestern team that allowed 40 to Iowa and 41 to Indiana, the Buckeyes should be able to score at will early and outperform this mark going into halftime.
Best Ohio State vs. Northwestern player prop picks for CFB Week 12
- Jack Lausch over 110.5 passing yards: -115 at bet365
- TreVeyon Henderson over 57.5 rushing yards: -115 at bet365
- Jeremiah Smith anytime touchdown scorer: -160 at FanDuel
Jack Lausch over 110.5 passing yards
Odds: -115 at bet365
While the Northwestern offense has a total points line set at 6.5, the Wildcats should be put into passing situations thanks to the perceived incoming blowout.
This line is risky, as Lausch has wavered all season, tallying four games over 200 yards and three below 85. However, the game script favors his chances of outperforming this total.
Coming off of a game against Purdue two weeks ago in which Lausch threw for 250 yards, the confidence should be high early for him to get some quick throws. The later part of the game also should favor his chances of finding easy windows against a prevent defense.
The Buckeyes allow an average of only 155.6 passing yards per game, but with star wideout A.J. Henning on Northwestern’s side, this line is low enough to draw intrigue.
TreVeyon Henderson over 57.5 rushing yards
Odds: -115 at bet365
While Quinshon Judkins is the lead back, TreVeyon Henderson has been the more dependable ball carrier this season. Despite never getting more than 10 carries in a game, Henderson has underperformed this total only twice in nine games.
In recent weeks, runners such as Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) and Tawee Walker (Wisconsin) have torched the Wildcats’ defense for productive days on the ground.
While Henderson will have to do so on a lesser workload, he’s proven this season that it shouldn’t be an issue.
When trying to game plan against an offense with so many star players, the Northwestern defense will be left picking its poison anyway. That’s where Henderson will capitalize.
Jeremiah Smith anytime TD scorer
Odds: -160 at FanDuel
With a runningback duo of Judkins and Henderson, predicting who gets the rushing touchdowns for Ohio State is unreliable. However, the most dependable scorer has been freshman WR Jeremiah Smith.
Scoring a touchdown in eight of nine games, it’s clear the Buckeyes are looking his way anytime they’re attempting to create a splash play. More often than not, he delivers.
The one time he failed this prop was against Penn State, and the team struggled to get time in the pocket. Now that Jackson has had more time at left tackle, and against a much less intimidating Northwestern pass rush, you can expect Smith will continue making big plays.
Look for the wideout to continue his scoring tear, and expect him to haul in at least one touchdown pass.