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Ohio State tries to focus on Northwestern

Nov 7, 2006 - 9:00 PM No. 1 Ohio St (10-0) at Northwestern (3-7), 3:30 pm EST

EVANSTON, Illinois (Ticker) - Given what happened last weekend - not to mention the last time it visited Evanston - it is highly unlikely that Ohio State will look past Northwestern this weekend.

The top-ranked Buckeyes play their final opponent before their showdown with No. 2 Michigan when they visit the Wildcats in a Big Ten Conference matchup on Saturday.

Ohio State (10-0, 6-0 Big Ten) was blanked in the second half at lowly Illinois last week and only held on for a 17-10 win when Brian Robiskie fielded a bouncing onside kick with 1:40 remaining.

Antonio Pittman and true freshman Chris Wells each ran for a touchdown for the Buckeyes, but Heisman Trophy favorite Troy Smith passed for just 108 yards and an interception while failing to throw a TD for the first time this season.

The Buckeyes certainly will remember what happened here two years ago, when they were stunned by the Wildcats in overtime, 33-27. That was Northwestern's first win over Ohio State at Ryan Field since 1958.

However, the Buckeyes responded with a 48-7 home win last year to improve to 57-14-1 in the series.

Northwestern (3-7, 1-5) ended a six-game losing streak with a surprising 21-7 triumph at Iowa last Saturday.

Sophomore Tyrell Sutton was named the co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after running for 168 yards and accumulating a season-high 203 all-purpose yards.