Another big test in Big 10

The Buckeyes will be tested by Northwestern's top-ranked passing offense.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
There was a time when nobody thought Northwestern had a chance against Ohio State. Last year, for instance.
But after the Wildcats stunned the Buckeyes 33-27 in overtime last season, snapping OSU's 24-game winning streak in the series, nobody is looking past Northwestern anymore.
"Last year was a tough loss against Northwestern, so we will have to play hard this year," said OSU linebacker Bobby Carpenter. "It will be a big advantage playing at home."
Historically, it hasn't made much difference where the game is played. Ohio State (7-2, 5-1) holds a 55-14-1 edge in the series with a 30-8-1 record at home. Before last year's win, the Wildcats hadn't even come within 10 points since a 17-15 loss in 1994.
But this is a different Northwestern team.
The Wildcats (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) rallied in the final minutes to beat Iowa 28-27 on Saturday and are ranked 25th in the Associated Press poll. Their only league losses are to Penn State and Michigan.
"We've got a lot of work ahead of us," said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel after Saturday's 40-2 win over Illinois. "We know that our challenge will be greater [this] week."
Strength against strength
Northwestern has the third-best offense in the conference, including the best passing offense, averaging 319 yards through the air per game. Ohio State, on the other hand, has the best defense in the Big Ten, ranking first in pass defense, rush defense and scoring defense.
"They're going to get their yards," said Ohio State cornerback Ashton Youboty. "We've just got to hold them to field goals and keep them out of the end zone."
Northwestern quarterback Brett Basanez is arguably the conference's best quarterback, completing 235-of-365 passes for 2,845 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Freshman running back Tyrell Sutton has rushed for 1,085 and 16 TDs already this season. The Akron Hoban graduate was Ohio's Mr. Football and holds the state record for career rushing yards.
"This is a big one for me," said Buckeye running back Antonio Pittman, an Akron Buchtel graduate. "Tyrell Sutton is from Akron as well, so it's going to be a big day for Akron running backs.
"I'm real fired up for it."
Pittman fell 4 yards shy of his fourth consecutive 100-yard running game against Illinois, mainly because OSU played its second-string offense in the fourth quarter. He needs 23 yards in the final two games to become Ohio State's 23rd rusher to top 1,000 yards in a season.
On a roll
Pittman's emergence as a running threat combined with better play from quarterback Troy Smith over the past few weeks has helped make OSU a better offensive team. The Buckeyes have scored 40 or more points in three straight games, the first time that's happened since 1995.
Northwestern gives up 32 points a game, so the Buckeye offense should have opportunities to score. The big question is, can the OSU defense stop the potent Wildcat attack?
"Northwestern is going to be a huge game," said senior safety Nate Salley. "It is bittersweet for me because it is my last game in the 'Shoe.
"It will be fun to get out there and hopefully hold our own and come away with a victory."
scalzo@vindy.com