There was hope that Ohio State might get at least one true night game this season at the 'Shoe, but that hope died earlier this week. After the Oregon game was announced to start at 3:30, the last chance for a game under the lights was with Northwestern, but that game has now been set as a Big Noon Kickoff on Fox.
The Buckeyes have no room for error in the remaining five games of the season after the first College Football Playoff rankings were released on Tuesday evening. The committee showed no love for the Scarlet and Gray, ranking Ohio State at No. 12 after the weekend loss to USC. That means the Buckeyes are currently on the outside looking in. They can certainly play their way back in, but another loss before the Big Ten Championship game would almost assuredly eliminate OSU from playoff consideration.
Hosting Northwestern at Noon. ⏰ pic.twitter.com/nLKzqgo6WK
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 2, 2026
At the beginning of the season, playing the Wildcats in Columbus felt like it might be a reprieve in a ridiculously tough schedule. But Northwestern is playing some good football at 6-2, taking both Indiana and Oregon to the brink before eventually falling. The Buckeyes will have their hands full with a team that fights to the very end. Hopefully they are still in contention for a Big Ten title by the time November 14 rolls around.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs. Northwestern game time and channel has been announced