No. 20 Ohio State vs Northwestern arrives on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET in Columbus, with both teams trying to steady themselves after back-to-back losses. Ohio State is 6-3 after falling 41-28 to Oregon, while Northwestern is also 6-3 after a 24-10 loss to Iowa.
Ohio State vs Northwestern: timing and setting
The game will be played at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, giving Ohio State the home edge as it looks to respond after consecutive defeats to USC and Oregon. Northwestern, meanwhile, comes in after losses to Oregon and Iowa, making this a matchup between two teams that are still in position to finish strongly but need a result to change the mood around their late-season stretch.
Key production to watch
For Ohio State, Luke Fahey has thrown for 823 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in six games this season. The Buckeyes also have Caleb Komolafe as a notable contributor, while Jeremiah Smith remains one of the headline names on the roster.
Northwestern’s biggest numbers have come from its passing game, with one player recording 69 catches for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns at 17.4 yards per catch. Another key line belongs to a quarterback who has completed 66 of 101 passes for 643 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions, while adding 57 yards and 10 touchdown passes with nine interceptions.
With both Ohio State and Northwestern coming in at 6-3, this game is less about chasing perfection and more about who can halt the slide first. A win would not erase the recent losses, but it would shape how each team is viewed heading into the final part of the season.
