Northwestern Wildcats at Ohio State Buckeyes preview

By John Onan  |   Friday, November 11, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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In a match-up between a team that isn't used to being ranked in the national polls this late in the season against another that it's common-hat for, Northwestern travels to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 12:00 PM EST.

The Wildcats earned bowl eligibility and a spot in the top 25 with a thrilling come from behind win over the Iowa Hawkeyes last weekend in Evanston. They looked to be a beaten squad, until quarterback Brett Basanez led them on a rally late in the fourth quarter. He went 31-of-51 for 338 yards and two scores, including the game-winner in the waning seconds. For the year, he is completing 65 % of his throws for 2845 yards with 16 touchdowns.

He'll need running back Tyrell Sutton and the ground game to keep the heat off him in this match-up, as he is sure to get rushed all day. Sutton now has 1085 yards on 184 carries (5.9 yards per attempt) and also has 16 trips to the end zone for Northwestern, who is 4-2 in the Big 10.

Ohio State rolled again last weekend, defeating lowly Illinois 40-2 behind the leadership of Troy Smith, who is also the conference's most efficient passer thanks to his 13-of-21 301 yard performance against the Illini, while tossing three touchdowns. He hit his main target Santonio Holmes twice and Ted Ginn Jr. also was the recipient once in the victory.

The Buckeyes also boast a top notch runner in Antonio Pittman, who has 978 yards on 181 carries with four scores, while Smith is also a threat with his legs, he's took it to the house eight times himself.

The Ohio State Buckeyes still have an outside chance of winning the Big Ten, but must win this game and the annual rivalry game versus Michigan, and Penn State must lose at Michigan State in two weeks.
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