Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Northwestern preview, prediction, odds, live stream

Ohio State faces off against Northwestern for the Big Ten Championship this weekend.

Two ranked Big Ten squads square off this Saturday for the conference championship. In what most might not have predicted to start the season, the Northwestern Wildcats meet the Ohio State Buckeyes in Indianapolis for the Big Ten title. Ohio State and Urban Meyer are looking to win back-to-back conference championships while Northwestern is playing for their first title since 2000.

Since the start of the season, the Buckeyes are determined to win the Big Ten and clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff. While being ranked No. 10 and having one loss might certainly hurt their chances of being in the playoff this year, Ohio State has proven to be a dominant force in college football again this year. However, the back half of their schedule has been a challenge.

After losing against Purdue, the Buckeyes escaped with a five-point win over struggling Nebraska and a tough road win at Michigan State. The game where they began to crack was Maryland. Ohio State trailed 17-3 at the end of the first quarter but fought eventually sending it to overtime. Meyer and company survived, but dropped in the polls, virtually ending their chances at the playoff. A dominant win over rival Michigan now has the Buckeyes sitting at 11-1 heading into the championship game.

Quarterback Dwayne Haskins has proven himself this season. At 4,081 yards and 42 touchdowns on the season, that puts him first in passing touchdowns and second in passing yards in the country. Along with one of the best running back duos in J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber Jr., Ohio State’s offense is second in total offense.

On the other side, most picked Northwestern to finish towards the middle to bottom of the Big Ten Western Division. The Wildcats did not look like conference contenders early in the season. After beating Purdue, they lost three straight but rallied to win their next five including wins over ranked Michigan State and Wisconsin. After losing to Notre Dame, Northwestern won their last three to finish 8-4 and rank No. 19 in the polls.

Pat Fitzgerald has his team coming into Indianapolis with a lot of confidence. Unfortunately, not with as much firepower as their opponent. Quarterback Clayton Thorson has thrown for 2,675 yards, but his 14 to 12 touchdown/interception ratio is concerning. Running back Isaiah Bowser and receiver Flynn Nagel have emerged as formidable weapons, but neither are as dynamic as what Ohio State sports on offense.

Northwestern has taken a big step forward program wise this year, but going up against a high-powered Ohio State is the biggest challenge they have faced so far this year. However, these teams did not meet during the regular season so the possibility for an upset is there. If the Buckeyes want to make a final strong case for the playoff committee, this is the game to do it.

Saturday’s game will be nationally televised on FOX and can be streamed on FOX Sports Go.

How to watch and bet Ohio State-Northwestern

Date: Saturday, Dec. 1
Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium
Spread: Ohio State -14
TV info: FOX
Stream: FOX Sports Go, fuboTV

Prediction: Ohio State wins and covers the spread.