Northwestern won’t get blown out by Buckeyes

Winning is not only a great deodorant, it’s also a painkiller. After weeks of anguished behavior on the sideline during stressful games, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer suddenly resembled a man without a care in the world last Saturday.

The headaches seemed to disappear and the smile returned. A 23-point blowout of a rival in the biggest game of the year can be a miracle cure.

The Buckeyes, 4½-point home underdogs, turned in by far their best effort in a 62-39 beatdown of Michigan. Ohio State’s stock in the college football betting market is now at a high point. In general, that means the public will be buying while sharper bettors must decide to sell or pass.

Black Friday has passed and this is no bargain price — Ohio State is a 14½-point favorite over Northwestern in the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis on Saturday.

The Buckeyes are instantly a sexy team after Dwayne Haskins passed for 396 yards and six touchdowns against a Wolverines defense that was dominant and highly respected. That type of performance makes an impression.

On the flip side, the Wildcats were faded by sharp bettors most of the season. Analytics handicappers have been flummoxed by Northwestern, a mediocre team according to statistics and a team that seems to win with smoke and mirrors.

Finally, Ohio State (11-1) is probably in the fourteam playoff with a win. But that’s still up for debate, so Meyer knows surviving might not be enough and he could use a convincing win. If given the opportunity, Meyer will show no mercy.

Still, the Wildcats (8-4) are the definition of gritty ’dogs. The underdog side is 11-0-1 against the spread in Northwestern games this season, with the Wildcats 5-0-1 in that role.

While drama always surrounds Meyer, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, a blue-collar former linebacker, is the opposite. Bettors must decide between the favorite needing style points or taking a lot of points with an ugly ’dog.

THE PLAY: Northwestern, +14½.

Matt Youmans co-hosts “The Edge,” weekdays 3-5 p.m. on VSiN.com, fuboTV and SiriusXM 204.