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ESPN’s Football Power Index projects Ohio State as an overwhelming favorite vs. Northwestern
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The long awaited B1G Championship Game is this Saturday, and as Northwestern gears up to head to Columbus to take on Ohio State, the projections are grim for the Wildcats.
According to ESPN’s FPI, Northwestern isn’t given more than a single-digit chance of returning to Evanston with the league title. The Buckeyes are an overwhelming favorite, with an estimated 90.9% chance of winning.
Ohio State has just five games under their belt heading into the contest, and with the expected win against Northwestern are considered a lock for an invitation to the College Football Playoffs at the end of December. One of those wins, a 42-35 victory over Indiana, did expose some vulnerability in the Buckeye game plan that Northwestern could look to take advantage of, but apparently ESPN isn’t giving that angle much of a chance.
For the 6-1 Wildcats, the 2020 season has been the end of what has been a wild ride the past three seasons, from winning the Big Ten West to finishing last to winning the division again this season. In conference play last season, the Wildcats 3-9, matching their worst record since 2002, and finishing 1-8 in conference play.
But, bear in mind that upsets and the unexpected are all part of college football, and Northwestern will certainly need to count on it.
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.