Northwestern Wildcats vs Ohio State Buckeyes odds, spread & prediction
Northwestern Wildcats6-2
Ohio State Buckeyes6-2Both teams arrive at Ohio Stadium at 6-2, each coming off a loss, in a Big Ten conference game with real stakes and a wide market gap between them.
See the full college football board & lines →Northwestern Wildcats vs Ohio State Buckeyes prediction: who is favored
The market favors the Ohio State Buckeyes at -335 on the moneyline, a 77% implied chance to win, and -5.5 on the spread.
BettorEdge community odds as of Nov 8. This is what bettors are pricing, not a pick, and it moves as money comes in.
At a glance
- Ohio State is the heavy home favorite, fair price in the markets at -335
- Northwestern is 6-2 with a 33.6-point offense, Ohio State is 6-2 allowing just 15.5 points per game
Lines at a glance
Where this game is priced right now. Every number is peer to peer, set by bettors rather than a sportsbook.
Spread
Northwestern vs Ohio State preview
The Market and Community Signal
The fair price in the markets is -335 on Ohio State and +335 on Northwestern. That is a wide spread, and it is exactly the kind of spot where BettorEdge's peer-to-peer model earns its keep. Set your own number, skip the vig, and let the community trade against you.
Form and Matchup
Ohio State is scoring 36.6 points per game and allowing just 15.5, the better defensive number on paper. Northwestern is at 33.6 points per game with 18.8 allowed. Both teams are coming off losses, Ohio State falling at USC and Northwestern dropping at Oregon. On common opponents, Northwestern beat Ball State 45-14 while Ohio State beat them 56-3, and Northwestern lost at Indiana 23-29 while Ohio State won at Indiana 19-15.
Recent Meetings
In the last 8 seasons, Ohio State has controlled this series. The most recent meeting was a 31-7 Ohio State win at Wrigley Field in November 2024. Before that, Ohio State won 21-7 in 2022, 22-10 in 2020, and 52-3 in 2019. Saturday's game is in Columbus.
How the Game Sets Up
Ohio State gets a home game at Ohio Stadium against a Northwestern team that has beaten Penn State and Michigan State this year but has not faced a defense close to what Columbus will put on the field. The Wildcats' offense has been efficient against their schedule, but the common-opponent splits lean heavily toward Ohio State.
How to play it
The market is pricing Ohio State as a dominant favorite at -335, and the recent-meeting history backs that lean. Northwestern's 6-2 record is real, but the common-opponent splits and the defensive numbers favor the Buckeyes at home. Get in early, name your price, and let the community come to you.
2026 season so far
Every result both teams have posted this season, with scoring averages.
- vs South Dakota StateW 34-18
- vs ColoradoW 41-7
- at IndianaL 23-29
- vs Penn StateW 34-13
- vs Ball StateW 45-14
- at Michigan StateW 24-21
- vs RutgersW 42-14
- at OregonL 26-34
Went 7-6 in 2025. Current streak: L1. Home: Ryan Field, Evanston, IL.
- vs Ball StateW 56-3
- at TexasL 23-24
- vs Kent StateW 59-3
- vs IllinoisW 42-19
- at IowaW 31-14
- vs MarylandW 45-16
- at IndianaW 19-15
- at USCL 18-30
Went 12-2 in 2025. Current streak: L1. Home: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH.
Common opponents
Teams both sides have already played this season.
- IndianaNorthwestern: L 23-29Ohio State: W 19-15
- Ball StateNorthwestern: W 45-14Ohio State: W 56-3
Matchup history
Northwestern Wildcats and Ohio State Buckeyes last played on Saturday, Nov 16, 2024, when the Ohio State Buckeyes won 31–7. Over the last 4 meetings: Ohio State Buckeyes 4, Northwestern Wildcats 0.
OSUOhio State Buckeyes@NUNorthwestern Wildcats31–7OSUOSUOhio State Buckeyes@NUNorthwestern Wildcats21–7OSUNWNorthwestern WildcatsvsOSUOhio State Buckeyes10–22OSUOSUOhio State Buckeyes@NWNorthwestern Wildcats52–3OSUMeetings from the last 8 seasons, from ESPN.
Preseason scouting report
Northwestern Wildcats
- New offensive coordinator in Chip Kelly (Las Vegas Raiders Offensive Coordinator)
- Starting QB from last season is gone. Michigan State transfer Aidan Chiles is expected to start (1,392 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs; 227 rushing yards, 6 rushing TDs)
- Caleb Komolafe returns at RB after a sophomore season of 941 yards and 11 TDs
- All three starting WRs return in Griffin Wilde (880 yards, 8 TDs), Hayden Elgon II (521 yards, 3 TDs), and Drew Wagner (172 yards, 2 TDs)
Ohio State Buckeyes
- New offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith (Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator)
- Julian Sayin returns at QB after a freshman season of 3,610 yards, 32 TDs, and 8 INTs
- Bo Jackson returns at RB after a freshman season of 1,090 yards and 6 TDs
- Top player in terms of receiving yards returns in Jeremiah Smith (1,243 yards, 12 TDs). Freshman Chris Henry Jr. is expected to start (5-Star Recruit, #2 WR in Class of 2026 per 247 Sports)
The rest of the slate
Every other Power 5 game with a live market right now.
More college football odds
Frequently asked questions
What time does Northwestern Wildcats vs Ohio State Buckeyes start?+
Northwestern Wildcats at Ohio State Buckeyes kicks off Saturday, Nov 14, 12:00 PM ET at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. Start times are listed in Eastern; check your own zone if you are watching from elsewhere.
Who is favored in Northwestern Wildcats vs Ohio State Buckeyes?+
The Ohio State Buckeyes are favored at -335 on the moneyline in prediction markets and -5.5 on the spread. Prices move as money comes in, and on BettorEdge you can set your own number on either side.
What is the spread for Northwestern Wildcats vs Ohio State Buckeyes?+
The spread is Ohio State Buckeyes -5.5, priced by the BettorEdge community rather than a house. Because the market is peer-to-peer you can also set your own number and wait for someone to take it.
What are Northwestern and Ohio State's records in 2026?+
The Northwestern Wildcats are 6-2 and the Ohio State Buckeyes are 6-2 this season. Northwestern is scoring 33.6 points a game and allowing 18.8; Ohio State is scoring 36.6 and allowing 15.5.
When did Northwestern and Ohio State last play?+
They last met on Saturday, Nov 16, 2024, when Ohio State Buckeyes won 31-7 at Wrigley Field. Over the last 4 meetings in the past 8 seasons, Northwestern has won 0 and Ohio State 4.
What is the "community lean" on this game?+
It is the share of real money posted on each team on the BettorEdge peer-to-peer order book. Because every price is backed by another bettor, the open interest is a genuine read on what the community believes.
When do the lines lock?+
Markets lock at kickoff, Saturday, Nov 14, 12:00 PM ET. Prices move as money comes in beforehand, so the community lean and the best number can shift right up until the game starts.
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