Northern Illinois’ journey to Ohio State on Saturday is not the first time the Huskies have ventured onto hallowed ground. Last season it opened the season at Michigan, and in 2003 the Huskies played at Alabama.
Thus the Huskies are no strangers to college football’s big stage.
“We’ve been to those places,” Northern coach Joe Novak said. “I don’t know if we’re good enough to beat Ohio State–we’ll see. I know we will not be afraid, we will not be intimidated. Ohio State will know we’re there.”
Northern Illinois is the favorite to win the Mid-American Conference and has several key returnees from last year’s 7-5 team that won the MAC West, including All-American tailback Garrett Wolfe. Ohio State, however, is the preseason No. 1 team in the country in almost every poll.
Northern, which prepped for the noise at 102,329-seat Ohio Stadium by having music and crowd noise blaring at practices this week, is in a no-pressure situation. The Huskies aren’t expected to win. The pressure is on the top-ranked team in the country to live up to expectations.
Here are five things that need to happen for Northern to upset the Buckeyes:
Contain Smith
The Buckeyes joined 21st Century football when Troy Smith took over at quarterback and the spread offense was installed two years ago. He’s a dangerous runner and passer. The Northern Illinois defense, led by end Ken West of Thornwood, can’t allow Smith to run free.
No turnovers
Last year at Michigan, the Huskies played the Wolverines tough but had five turnovers in a 33-17 loss. Northern Illinois was outgained just 447-411 but lost four fumbles and had an interception. Ohio State can’t be given any additional possessions or the same result–maybe worse–will happen.
“I think the turnover ratio has to be big,” Novak said.
Wolfe must excel
The 5-foot-7-inch, 177-pound senior rushed for 148 yards against Michigan, including a 76-yard TD run. Ohio State won’t be looking ahead to next week’s game at Texas when Wolfe gets the ball.
“If he can control the tempo of the game,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said, “it makes it a very difficult football game.”
Special teams must be special
Northern has a top kicker in Naperville Central’s Chris Nendick, who has the nation’s longest extra point streak with 94. The junior also has good range, hitting a 52-yard field goal in the MAC championship game last season. Punter Andy Dittbenner has improved.
Nendick and Dittbenner must be aware of where Ted Ginn Jr. is. Ginn has five kick returns for touchdowns and led the country in punt returns (25.6 yards) as a freshman in 2004 and in kickoffs (29.6) last season.
Exploit Buckeye defense
That’s easier said than done. Sure, Ohio State lost nine starters, five to the first round of the NFL draft, but the guys behind them are all blue chip recruits waiting their turns.
