Can Northwestern make history and pull off a miraculous upset against Ohio State?
After a much-needed bye week, the Wildcats (4-5, 2-4 B1G) now face their steepest mountain yet—a David-versus-Goliath clash against No. 2 Ohio State (8-1, 5-1 B1G). This Big Ten showdown marks Northwestern’s first game at Wrigley Field this year, setting the stage for a potential storybook upset…or a very long afternoon.
Northwestern has the chance to become the first unranked team since 2018 to knock off the Buckeyes and snap their 32-game losing streak against Ohio State. But let’s just say it’s about as likely as a bicycle beating a bullet train in a race. Still, that doesn’t mean we can’t dream—because that’s what makes sports great. Here are three things to watch for in this weekend’s Big Ten clash.
Ohio State’s two-headed monster in the backfield
The Buckeyes’ backfield isn’t so much a duo as it is a full-blown thunderstorm—Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson tearing through defenses with the fury of a natural disaster. The pair averages 137.1 rushing yards per game and has racked up 12 total touchdowns, a two-headed freight train barreling forward, and Northwestern’s defense is about to step onto the tracks.
For the Wildcats, stopping this tandem will require nothing short of a miracle. On paper, Northwestern’s run defense shines like a badge of honor—ranked 16th in the country, holding opponents to just 108.2 yards per game. But paper doesn’t tackle, and stats can’t stop two of the most dynamic runners in the nation. While Judkins has hit a few speed bumps this season after a hand procedure in October—averaging only 44.75 yards in his last four active games—the Ole Miss transfer remains a threat, always one good carry away from breaking loose.
As for Henderson, the senior tailback is more jet engine than running back, slicing through defenses with an efficiency most backs can only dream about. Even with nearly 30 fewer carries than his counterpart Judkins, Henderson sits comfortably at 5th in the nation (among players with at least 70 carries), averaging a jaw-dropping 7.5 yards per rush. He’s in rare company, trailing only a handful of the elite—including Heisman trophy hopeful Ashton Jeanty.
Jack Lausch vs. an elite defense
Lausch has faced an uphill battle all season against the Big Ten’s toughest defenses, but none compare to the challenge awaiting him this weekend. The Buckeyes allow just 250.8 yards per game, good for second in the country behind third-ranked Texas. A strong showing against Ryan Day’s squad could do wonders to shift the narrative that Lausch only excels against weaker secondaries—and may even earn him a vote of confidence as the Wildcats’ starting quarterback for next season.
The numbers tell a familiar story. Against the Big Ten’s top nine defenses, Lausch has managed a modest 110 passing yards per game. But against the conference’s bottom five? Suddenly, he’s a gunslinger, lighting up the stat sheet with 226.5 yards. Notice a pattern? While we’re not expecting him to turn into 2012 Johnny Manziel against Alabama, Lausch now finds himself at a crossroads, facing the ultimate test—a chance to prove he’s not just a one-trick pony but a reliable Big Ten quarterback who can go toe-to-toe with the conference’s toughest defenses.
Freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith
Braun’s secondary faces a daunting challenge against one of the nation’s top pass catchers—and arguably the best true freshman in college football. Smith has already tallied 45 catches for 765 yards and nine receiving touchdowns, tied for second in the nation, with an additional 33 yards and a rushing touchdown on the ground for good measure. He’s already broken all of Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter’s records for most touchdown catches, receiving yards, and receptions by a freshman, all of which had stood since 1984.
Now, the question is how many more he’ll add to that record while leaving Northwestern’s defense in his wake, as the ‘Cats rank fourth-worst in the conference, allowing an average of 241 passing yards per contest.