Ohio State vs. Northwestern: Start time, live stream, TV, and more

The #4 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0) will take on the #14 Northwestern Wildcats (6-1) on Saturday in the Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes are playing for the fourth consecutive Big Ten Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Viewing Information:

Date: Saturday, Dec. 19 | Time: Noon ET

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

TV: Fox | Live Stream: Fox Sports App

Announcers: Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, and Jenny Taft

Weather: Indoors

Storylines: 

Three of Ohio State’s last five games have been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, just one due to issues within the OSU program. There are some unconfirmed rumors that there may be some positive cases within the team once again, but nothing will be fully known until the team releases their availability report on Saturday morning. Rapid testing will take place twice on Friday to make sure all who are healthy are able to make the trip to Indy.

One of the individuals that recently tested positive was Head Coach Ryan Day, he has not been on the Bucks sideline for a game in nearly a month. He last coached the team on Nov. 21 against Indiana. Granted, Ohio State has played just one game since then after the Nov. 28 game against Illinois and Dec. 12 game against Michigan were both canceled. Day is healthy and will try to win his second Big Ten title in as many years.

Justin Fields and the Buckeyes have the fourth-best scoring offense in the country, averaging 46.6 points-per-game, but will be challenged this weekend. Pat Fitzgerald‘s Wildcats have the second-best scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 14.6 points-per-game. This will be a battle between two of the best units in all of college football.

Northwestern’s offense is nothing to write home about, as they rank ninth in the Big Ten in scoring offense, averaging just 25.3 points-per-game. Despite Ohio State having the worst passing defense in the Big Ten, Northwestern struggles to move the ball through the air, as QB Peyton Ramsey is averaging just 174 yards-per-game. On the rushing end, the Buckeyes should have no issues either, as OSU allows just 95 yards-per-game.

It is hard to speculate which players will be available for Saturday’s game, however, it is not hard to speculate the potential playoff picture. Ohio State, currently ranked fourth, just needs to win and they should be in the four-team playoff.

#1 Alabama plays #7 Florida for the SEC title, Bama will be in the playoff regardless of the outcome of the game, if Florida pulls the upset it would still be hard to imagine a two-loss Gators team making the cut. #2 Notre Dame faces off against #3 Clemson for the ACC title.

If Notre Dame beats Clemson for the second time this season, it would be hard to imagine the Tigers making the playoff over a one-loss team like #5 Texas A&M, but if Clemson wins- both the Tigers and Irish will be in the playoff. Of course, all of this is outside noise to Ryan Day and Ohio State, if OSU wins, they’re in.

Series History:

Ohio State has dominated the all-time series against Northwestern with 63 wins, 14 losses, and one tie. The Buckeyes have won eight straight over the Wildcats, including a 45-24 win in the 2018 Big Ten Championship Game.

Odds:

The Buckeyes currently sit as a 20.0-point favorite over Northwestern, with an over/under of 57, according to ESPN.com.