Ohio State casts doubt on itself with Northwestern scare: College football media reacts
By Scott Rogust
The Ohio State Buckeyes only edged out a 21-7 victory over one-win Northwestern and college football media was critical of Ryan Day’s team.
The Ohio State Buckeyes entered Week 10 ranked second overall in the very first College Football Playoff rankings of the season. Their opponents for the week were against the Northwestern Wildcats, who have only won a game this season, and were on a seven-game losing streak.
Ohio State had to battle tumultuous winds at Ryan Field, where they posted just seven points and 118 yards of total offense. The Buckeyes were able to bounce back in the second half, preventing the Wildcats from reaching the end zone again, and picking up the 21-7 victory.
College football media were surprised by how bad of a time Ohio State was having in the first half against Northwestern.
Ohio State struggles in win over Northwestern: College football media reactions
Michigan has been the more complete team most of the season. Ohio State's offense is flashier, but it also has flaws that Michigan's (so far) doesn't. https://t.co/sGsQW7CzIl
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 5, 2022
Good guy Ohio State removing any doubt that we’re getting a matchup of the top 2 teams in an hour.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 5, 2022
Can't wait to see whether the CFP committee considers this week's performance by Ohio State evidence of being a balanced, gritty team or not having enough "game control."
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 5, 2022
Boy did Ohio State need that touchdown.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 5, 2022
greatest moments of Northwestern 2022 football season
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) November 5, 2022
—Ireland's beer payment system fails
—wind goes from 90 to 120 mph vs. Ohio State https://t.co/uaCrOvy0mA
Ohio State’s offense has 72 yards and zero points in six possessions.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 5, 2022
Northwestern is one of the worst teams in the Power 5. No weather excuses for Ohio State when they can't even run the ball on 3rd-and-1. They're just straight-up bad so far today.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 5, 2022
Northwestern got on the board first when Evan Hull ran for a 16-yard touchdown. Ohio State would not reach the end zone until there were a little more than two minutes remaining in the first half when wide receiver Emeka Egbuka ran for a 15-yard touchdown.
Ohio State’s next two touchdowns of the game came from running back Miyan Williams. His first was a 27-yard run over six minutes into the third quarter. Then, with a little over four minutes remaining in regulation, Williams secured the victory with a two-yard touchdown run.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t put up extravagant numbers this week, completing 10-of-26 pass attempts for just 76 yards. The running game picked up the slack, gaining 207 yards on 35 carries.
Ohio State’s offense was 4-for-15 on third-down conversion attempts, but 2-for-4 on fourth down. Northwestern, meanwhile, was 9-for-20 on third down, but 0-for-4 on fourth down.
The college football world will wait and see how the CFP selection committee will view their performance in Week 10, and if they will drop them down the rankings. That will certainly be a story to follow during the reveal on Tuesday.
Next. 5 Power Five programs that need to hire Deion Sanders. dark
For more College Football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.