It’s not often that a game’s most intriguing aspect is its site, but that’s the case this week for Ohio State.

The No. 2 Buckeyes play Northwestern on Saturday at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. The Wildcats’ home field, Ryan Field, is undergoing a two-year rebuild. The team’s temporary makeshift stadium on campus holds only about 15,000 fans, so Wrigley Field is an alternate site for higher-profile games.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day, a New Hampshire native, attended baseball games as a kid at Boston’s Fenway Park, which opened only two years before Wrigley Field’s debut in 2014.

“As I got older, I had an opportunity to see the Cubs play in Wrigley,” Day said Tuesday. “The surrounding area, the restaurants in the area, it’s just got a great vibe. It’s a unique place with an unbelievable history, so it’s a great opportunity for us. I’m also excited for Buckeye Nation to get to the game and experience that as well.”

The Buckeyes will visit Wrigley on Friday after arriving in Chicago to gain some familiarity with it.

“It’s a different feel, but it’s a great opportunity for our team,” Day said. “Ultimately, it’ll be a 100-yard football field and there will be stands and we’ll compete.”

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As for the opponent, this should be similar to last week’s mismatch against Purdue. A year after being the surprise team in the Big Ten under David Braun following the firing of longtime coach Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern is 4-5 (2-4 Big Ten). Ohio State is nearly a 30-point favorite.

Two years ago, the Buckeyes won in Evanston 21-7 in a game played in extreme wind. The wind is expected to be only 10-15 mph on Saturday.

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“Good,” Day said. “That’s 70 mph less than last time we were here.”

Here are four takeaways from what Day, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and quarterback Will Howard said at Tuesday’s press conference:

Footwork the big issue in deep passing game problems

By almost all measures, Will Howard’s season has been a success. He has completed 74% of his passes this year after completing less than 60% in his career at Kansas State. In four of his last five games, Howard has completed at least 80% of his passes.

But sporadic success on deep passes is the most glaring deficiency in OSU’s offense. Against Purdue last week, Carnell Tate was open but couldn’t hang on to an underthrown pass when he hit the turf. Against Penn State, two potential touchdowns went for incompletions. Jeremiah Smith slowed down on one route. On the other, Howard’s pass to Tate drifted out of bounds.

Day and Howard said the main issue is the quarterback’s footwork.

“That’s something we’re going to continue to work through,” Day said. “I think he’s throwing some really good balls down the field, and then sometimes he’s been a little bit late with his feet. When his feet are right, he throws a good ball.”

Howard said his feet have tended to “go dead a little bit” on deep throws.

“We’re emphasizing this week keeping my feet alive,” he said.

Day pleased with left side of offensive line

The Purdue game was Ohio State’s second with Donovan Jackson at left tackle and Carson Hinzman at left guard, and Day is happy with how they played on Saturday.

Hinzman was the starting center last year before losing the job to Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin. He had played little until left tackle Josh Simmons was lost for the season in the Oregon game, forcing the line shuffle.

“He was solid,” Day said. “He’s taking the next step at guard.”

Purdue used a “Bear” front often against Ohio State with linemen bunched together in the middle of the line.

“A lot of 1-on-1 blocks there, so you’ve got to sustain your blocks,” Day said.

Hinzman left the game with a left knee injury late in the second quarter but returned after halftime.

“He got a little scare there, but he’s fine now,” Day said. “Another week of work, another week of experience at playing guard will go a long way.”

Howard said he had faith that Jackson and Hinzman would play well even before they were thrust into new roles.

“I think a lot of people around Buckeye Nation were concerned, and I really wasn’t,” he said. “I knew those guys would step up to the challenge. I knew they were ready for it.

“I’m so proud of those guys with how they’ve stepped into their new roles and done an amazing job. But I’m not surprised, and I think they have a lot more ahead of them.”

Day mostly happy with Eddrick Houston’s starting debut

Eddrick Houston was the prize defensive line recruit in this year’s recruiting class. In fact, Day left his signing day press conference for a phone call with Houston to keep him in the fold when it looked like the player was wavering.

Houston was recruited as a defensive end, but he has been moved to the 3-technique tackle position. Against Purdue, coaches decided to give Tyleik Williams extra time to heal from an ankle injury, and Houston got the start.

He was credited with two tackles and an assist in 27 snaps. He also committed a costly penalty when he shoved a Purdue player after a third-down stop, drawing a personal foul.

“There was obviously the one silly penalty that he’ll have to learn from,” Day said. “But overall, I thought there were a lot of flashes for somebody who has not played inside a whole bunch in his career.

“He’s got strength. He’s got power. He ran to the football. He didn’t quite grade out (as a champion), but I think there’s a really bright future there at 3-technique for Eddrick.”

Day said Williams will play against Northwestern.

Is the backup quarterback battle tightening?

When Ohio State lifted its offensive starters early in the fourth quarter, Devin Brown took the next six snaps.

But on the next one, a third-and-12 from the OSU 46, Day inserted Julian Sayin. The freshman scrambled for 19 yards and a first down. Sayin then took the final seven snaps.

Neither backup had success throwing. Brown’s only pass, a short throw to Brandon Innis, was thrown high. Sayin was 0 for 5, including a drop by Inniss.

Brown is 10 for 19 passing this season for 108 yards and one touchdown. Sayin is 5 for 12 for 84 yards with one score.

“Devin right now is our backup, but Julian is pushing hard,” Day said. “We’ll keep evaluating it every week and see where those guys are.”

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