THE SERIES HISTORY CRIB NOTES

• Ohio State has won the 20 of the last 21 games in this series not played in Columbus and 32 of the last 33 contests played at any location.
• This will be the second time the Buckeyes have been ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll when facing Northwestern. OSU defeated the 15th ranked Wildcats 40-30 at Evanston in 2013.
• This is the tenth time these programs have faced each other when both teams are ranked. Ranked Ohio State teams are 6–3 against ranked Northwestern squads and have won four straight under these circumstances.
• 2018 was the last time a game was played when both teams were ranked. No. 6 Ohio State defeated No. 21 Northwestern 45-24 in the Big Ten Championship Game.
• 1962 was the last time a ranked Northwestern team defeated a ranked Ohio State team.

THE LAST TEN AGAINST NORTHWESTERN

The Buckeyes are 9–1 in the last ten games against the Wildcats. Ohio State has outscored Northwestern 413-144 in those games.

LAST TEN NOT IN COLUMBUS

The Buckeyes are 9–1 in the last ten games played as the away from Columbus. The average score has been 38-15 in those games. 

LAST TEN GAMES VERSUS NORTHWESTERN

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE
2019	A	52-3
2018	N	45-24
2016	H	24-20
2013	A	40-30
2008	A	45-10
2007	H	58-7
2006	A	54-10
2005	H	48-7
2004	A	27-33 (OT)
2003	H	20-0
TOTAL	9–1	413-144

Northwestern's lone win in the past ten contests was the OT debacle in 2004. The Buckeyes totaled 97 yards on the ground and a rare missed FG by Mike Nugent helped seal Ohio State's fate.

ALL-TIME RESULTS BY DIFFERENT CATEGORIES

Below you will find a crap load of stats and records compiled using The Ohio State Media Guide.
 

OHIO STATE ALL-TIME VERSUS NORTHWESTERN

	RECORD	WIN %	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	63–14–1	.814	2,218-765	28-10
HOME	33–8	.805	1,179-336	29-8
AWAY	28–6–1	.814	960-402	27-11
NEUTRAL	2–0	1.000	79-27	40-14

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND NORTHWESTERN IS RANKED

	RECORD	WIN %	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	6–3	.667	201-138	22-15
HOME	4–2	.667	116-63	19-11
AWAY	1–1	.500	40-51	20-26
NEUTRAL	1–0	1.000	45-24	45-24

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND NORTHWESTERN IS NOT RANKED

	RECORD	WIN %	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	33–2	.943	1,224-284	35-8
HOME	14–1	.933	548-107	37-7
AWAY	18–1	.947	642-174	34-9
NEUTRAL	1–0	1.000	34-3	34-3

 

OHIO STATE'S RECORD VERSUS NORTHWESTERN BY DECADE

DECADE	OVERALL	WIN %		HOME	WIN %		AWAY	WIN %	NTRL	WIN %
2010s	4–0	1.000		1–0	1.000		2–0	1.000	1–0	1.000
2000s	7–1	.875		4–0	1.000		3–1	.750
1990s	7–0	1.000		4–0	1.000		2–0	1.000	1–0	1.000
1980s	8–0	1.000		3–0	1.000		5–0	1.000
1970s	7–1	.875		4–1	.800		3–0	1.000
1960s	5–2	.714		2–2	.500		3–0	1.000
1950s	8–1	1.000		4–0	1.000		4–1	.800
1940s	5–4	.556		3–2	.600		2–2	.500
1930s	6–3–1	.650		4–1	.800		2–2–1	.500
1920s	1–2	.333		0–2	.000		1–0	1.000
1910s	5–0	1.000		4–0	1.000		1–0	1.000
TOTAL	61–14-1	.809		33–8	.805		27–6–1	.809	1–0	1.000

 

LAST TEN GAMES VERSUS NORTHWESTERN

LAST TEN	RECORD	WIN %	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	9–1	.900	413-144	41-14
HOME	10–0	1.000	397-86	40-9
AWAY	9–1	.900	385-171	39-17

 

ALL-TIME RESULTS BY YEAR
 

2010 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	NU RANK
2019	A	52-3	No. 4
2018	N	45-24	No. 6	No. 21
2016	H	24-20	No. 6
2013	A	40-30	No. 3	No. 15

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	2–0	64-50	32-25
HOME	1–0	24-20	24-20
AWAY	2–0	92-33	46-17
NEUTRAL	1–0	45-24	45-24

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND NORTHWESTERN IS RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	2–0	85-54	43-27
HOME	DNP
AWAY	1–0	40-30	40-30
NEUTRAL	1–0	45-24	45-24

Through the 2010s, Ohio State maintained a perfect record against the nerds from Northwestern. Mike Weber's two rushing touchdowns were a key factor in the Buckeyes' 24-20 victory in 2016.

2000 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	NU RANK
2008	A	45-10	No. 12
2007	H	58-7	No. 8
2006	A	54-10	No. 1
2005	H	48-7	No. 10	No. 25
2004	A	27-33 (OT)	No. 7
2003	H	20-0	No. 4
2002	A	27-16	No. 5
2001	H	38-20		No. 14

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	7–1	317-103	40-13
HOME	4–0	164-34	41-9
AWAY	3–1	153-69	38-17

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND NORTHWESTERN IS RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	1–0	48-7	48-7
HOME	1–0	48-7	48-7
AWAY	DNP

During the decade of the 2000s, 2005 was the only time these teams played when both were ranked. Ohio State was led by the ground attack of Antonio Pittman and Troy Smith. Pittman rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown and Smith contributed 75 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.

The Buckeyes held a 28-7 lead at the half and coasted to a 48-7 victory. 

1990 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	NU RANK
1998	A	36-10	No. 1
1997	H	49-6	No. 9
1994	A	17-15	No. 20
1993	H	51-3	No. 7
1992	H	31-7
1991	N	34-3	No. 18
1990	H	48-7

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	7–0	266-51	38-7
HOME	4–0	179-23	45-6
AWAY	2–0	53-25	27-13
NEUTRAL	1–0	34-3	34-3

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND NORTHWESTERN IS RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	DNP
HOME	DNP
AWAY	DNP

With an average victory of 38-7, the '90s were totally dominated by the Buckeyes. The 1993 51-3 dismantling being the largest win of the decade. Joey Galloway had 6 catches for 119 yards and scored on a 9-yard run.

1980 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	NU RANK
1989	A	52-27
1986	H	30-9	No. 11
1985	A	35-17	No. 4
1984	A	52-3	No. 13
1983	H	55-7	No. 10
1982	A	40-28
1981	H	70-6
1980	A	63-0	No. 9

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	8–0	397-97	50-12
HOME	3–0	155-22	52-7
AWAY	5–0	242-75	48-15

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND NORTHWESTERN IS RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	DNP
HOME	DNP
AWAY	DNP

The Buckeyes did not play a ranked Northwestern team during the 1980s. Ohio State's 70-6 win in 1981 is the largest in this series' history. Earle Bruce's squad threw for 362 yards and rushed for another 277 in the 64-point plastering. 

1970 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	NU RANK
1979	H	16-7	No. 8
1978	H	63-20
1977	A	35-15	No. 4
1974	A	55-7	No. 1
1973	H	60-0	No. 1
1972	A	27-14	No. 9
1971	H	10-14	No. 16
1970	H	24-10	No. 2	No. 20

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	7–1	290-87	36-11
HOME	4–1	173-51	35-10
AWAY	3–0	117-36	39-12

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND NORTHWESTERN IS RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	1–0	24-10	24-10
HOME	1–0	24-10	24-10
AWAY	DNP

Following the loss in 1971, Ohio State went on a 24-game winning streak against the purple pansies. How dominant were the Buckeyes during that streak? They outscored Northwestern 1,004-247 with the average score being 42-10.

The win in 1970 was the first time Ohio State defeated Northwestern when both teams were ranked since 1945.

1960 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	NU RANK
1969	A	35-6	No. 1
1968	H	45-21	No. 2
1967	A	6-2
1964	H	10-0	No. 7
1963	H	8-17
1962	H	14-18	No. 6	No. 8
1961	A	10-0	No. 7

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	5–2	128-64	18-9
HOME	2–2	77-56	19-14
AWAY	3–0	51-8	17-3

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND NORTHWESTERN IS RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	0–1	14-18	14-18
HOME	0–1	14-18	14-18
AWAY	DNP

The 1960s were the last time Northwestern won more than one game against Ohio State in a decade. Rex Kern (117 yards passing, 94 rushing) and Jim Otis (127 rushing yards) led No. 1 Ohio State in the 35-6 win in 1969 played in Evanston.

1950 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	NU RANK
1958	A	0-21	No. 5	No. 11
1957	H	47-6	No. 8
1956	A	6-2	No. 6
1955	H	49-0	No. 15
1954	A	14-7	No. 1
1953	H	27-13
1952	A	24-21
1951	H	3-0
1950	A	32-0	No. 4

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	8–1	202-70	22-8
HOME	4–0	126-19	32-5
AWAY	4–1	76-51	15-10

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND NORTHWESTERN IS RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	0–1	0-21	0-21
HOME	DNP
AWAY	0–1	0-21	0-21

Northwestern's largest margin of victory occurred under Woody Hayes' watch in 1958. Even with the 21-point loss, Ohio State still won by an average score of 22-8 during the 1950s.

1940 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	NU RANK
1949	H	24-7	No. 18
1948	A	7-21		No. 9
1947	H	7-6
1946	A	39-27		No. 6
1945	H	16-14	No. 6	No. 20
1943	H	0-13		No. 17
1942	A	20-6	No. 1
1941	H	7-14	No. 11	No. 13
1940	A	3-6

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	5–4	123-114	14-13
HOME	3–2	54-54	11-11
AWAY	2–2	69-60	17-15

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND NORTHWESTERN IS RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	1–1	23-28	12-14
HOME	1–1	23-28	12-14
AWAY	DNP

The 1940s were the last time Northwestern was even close to winning a decade against the Ohio State juggernaut. The Buckeyes average margin of victory was a mere 1-point.

1930 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	NU RANK
1939	H	13-0
1938	A	0-0
1937	H	7-0	No. 12	No. 7
1936	A	13-14
1935	H	28-7
1934	A	28-6
1933	H	12-0
1932	A	20-6
1931	H	0-10
1930	A	2-19

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	6–3–1	123-62	12-6
HOME	4–1	60-17	12-3
AWAY	2–2–1	63-45	13-9

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND NORTHWESTERN IS RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	1–0	7-0	7-0
HOME	1–0	7-0	7-0
AWAY	DNP

1937 was the first time these programs faced each other being ranked in the AP Poll. Naturally, Ohio State won.

1920 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE
1929	H	6-18
1928	A	10-0
1927	H	13-19

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	1–2	29-37	10-12
HOME	0–2	19-37	10-18
AWAY	1–0	10-0	10-0

The terrible twenties are the only decade in which Northwestern has a winning record against Ohio State. Only playing three games certainly helped.

1910 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE
1917	H	40-0
1916	H	23-3
1915	A	34-0
1914	H	27-0
1913	H	58-0

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY // RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	5–0	162-3	32-1
HOME	4–0	148-3	37-1
AWAY	1–0	34-0	34-0

The first game in this series set the tone. Ohio State crushed Northwestern 58-0 in 1913. The John Wilce's Buckeyes finished the decade with a 5–0 record against the Wildcats and set the course for ass-whooping after ass-whooping.

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