Ohio State didn’t figure to have a tough time with a 1-7 Northwestern team on Saturday in Evanston.
Then Mother Nature intervened.
With rain and winds that reached 50 mph, it took until late in the fourth quarter for the Buckeyes to salt away a 21-7 victory over the Wildcats, who came in 38-point underdogs.
The conditions were so bad that Heisman Trophy favorite C.J. Stroud had more running yards than passing.
Thanks to sacks, Stroud came into the game with 19 carries for -4 yards. He had a career-high 79 rushing yards with 76 passing yards.
The weather's had an impact on C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes 😳 pic.twitter.com/wm4gBc3rWp
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 5, 2022
The conditions are so bad that Brutus had to break out the umbrella 😂 pic.twitter.com/qB7iASF9J9
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 5, 2022
The Buckeyes did set an NCAA record by reaching the 20-point mark for the 70th straight game.
And if you were wondering about the wind:
A 77-yard touchback with ease 😳
The wind at Northwestern is no joke. pic.twitter.com/kz4dm0LvOV
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 5, 2022
Now the question becomes whether the College Football Playoff committee will hold the performance against the currently second-ranked Buckeyes.
Northwestern has not won in the United States since October 2021. Its lone victory, over Nebraska, came in Ireland.
