Big Ten championship: Ohio State will add to trophy case, CFP resumé

The speculation, debate and conversations about Ohio State never end, and Lettermen Row is always ready to dive into the discussions. All week long, senior writer Austin Ward will field topics on Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes submitted by readers and break down anything that’s on the minds of the Best Damn Fans in the Land. Have a question that needs to be tackled, like today’s game prediction? Send it in right here — and check back daily for the answers.

Ohio State is again a heavy favorite as the Buckeyes try to defend the Big Ten championship against Northwestern. (Bovada/Courtesy)

There’s no going back for Ohio State now.

The Buckeyes have realized their enormous potential, what it takes to fully tap into it and just how much they can accomplish at their best.

The matchup could hardly be any better suited for them against Northwestern, from an offense that shouldn’t pose much of a threat to the Silver Bullets and a defense that doesn’t have anywhere near the kind of talent Dwayne Haskins and the Buckeyes will be throwing at it.

And the stakes? Ohio State isn’t an underdog this week, a challenge it loves more than seemingly anything else in the world. But there is obviously a Big Ten championship trophy being awarded on Saturday night, and beyond that, the Buckeyes are certainly aware that it might take a little extra to earn a spot to again play for a national title.

Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell is a key part of an attack with too much athleticism for Northwestern. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

All of that points to the Buckeyes storming through Indianapolis and defending the conference crown. And for all of the justified praise for how well-coached, fundamentally sound and tough the Wildcats are, there just isn’t much reason to expect them to pose a real threat to Ohio State. Northwestern struggled mightily outside of the Big Ten, benefitted from a weak West Division and finished the season with one of the worst scoring offenses in the league — and that’s going to make trading punches with the heavyweight Buckeyes a significant challenge.

It’s fair to wonder if there will be a hangover coming off the dominant rivalry victory in The Game or if the pressure to rack up style points could be an issue for Ohio State. But even if there is, the Buckeyes are far too talented for the outcome to really be all that impacted, and they tend to be at their best when there’s a lot on the line.

Urban Meyer found a way to get his team back to an elite level last week before it was too late. And that’s bad news for anybody in the way of the Buckeyes now.

The Pick: Ohio State 45, Northwestern 17.

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