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Ohio State Football: Our predictions for the Big Ten Championship Game

By Charlie Lockhart

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Cardale Jones #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes lifts the Big Ten trophy after his team defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 59-0 in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 6, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Cardale Jones #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes lifts the Big Ten trophy after his team defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 59-0 in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 6, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, IL – SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats gives instructions to Paddy Fisher #42against the Michigan Wolverines at Ryan Field on September 29, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan defeated Northwestern 20-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL – SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats gives instructions to Paddy Fisher #42against the Michigan Wolverines at Ryan Field on September 29, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan defeated Northwestern 20-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Tom:  Wow it has been a long journey for Ohio State this year.  I can’t remember a season that has had this amount of drama.

I want to believe all the noise is in the past.  The team used its moment against Michigan to wipe the slate clean and reposition itself where it belongs, on top.

In front of them is Northwestern.  It is fitting that the Buckeyes get to play the Wildcats for the Big Ten Football Championship.

Pat Fitzgerald led the Wildcats to the Big Ten title in 1995, a season of promise for the Buckeyes that was cut short by a loss to Michigan.

I am on record saying Fitzgerald is the best coach in the Big Ten.  He maximizes the talent that he recruits and exceeds expectations almost every season.

It will be interesting to see how his team handles the moment.  The Wildcats have never played in a title game.

The Buckeyes are not only familiar with these moments, they live for them.

The team showed a level of physicality last week that has been largely absent for two years. We also saw the return of the old Urban Meyer.  A ruthless warrior ready to stick the dagger in the gut of any opponent.

I expect Northwestern to throw every curve ball it has to make this a close game in the fourth quarter.  I just don’t think it will work.

Ohio State’s speed and depth will be the difference. The Buckeyes are ready for this challenge and will take control early and win the game comfortably.

Buckeyes win 38-17.

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