The Volts have lost three games on the bounce and trail competition leader Wellington by 43 points approaching the midway point in the first-class tournament.
Next year will mark 30 years since the province last won the four-day competition. And while there is still a maximum of 120 points available, it will be a struggle for Otago to overcome its poor start and snap that drought.
But there is a lot of white ball cricket coming up and the Volts will start from scratch in those tournaments.
''In the back of our minds we started our short format preparations a few weeks ago, but at the end of the day we still play every single game to win,'' Volts coach Rob Walter said.
''I think it is the oldest cliche in the book but it is certainly true.''
Otago has opted against playing fast bowler Warren Barnes. He is fit but the Volts do not want to risk him because they believe he will have a big role to play with the white ball this summer.
Walter felt his side was making progress despite its three-game losing streak. The Volts dominated the majority of the match against Central Districts in Dunedin last week but threw the initiative away with a dreadful 30 minutes of batting in which the team lost five wickets for 16 runs in 4.1 overs.
''Obviously the last game was disappointing ... but there is a hell of a lot of positives to be taking out of the game and certainly it was a step in the right direction.
''We want to zero in on those things that we need to do better, specifically in our batting department.
''I feel like our bowling has been really good and they have kept us in games.
''But our batters got some runs under the belt. We got our first two centuries of the season and we are looking to build on that for sure.
Otago will be missing Neil Broom and Jimmy Neesham, who have New Zealand A commitments, while Neil Wagner has joined the Black Caps to prepared for the first test against the West Indies in Wellington next month.
Albion all-rounder Shawn Hicks has been in good touch with the bat and gets an opportunity. Left arm leg-spinner Michael Rippon has been a handful with the ball in club cricket and seamer Nathan Smith returns after missing the last three games.
For Northern Districts, batsmen Daryl Mitchell and Dean Brownlie have returned from injury. Seamer Zak Gibson is unavailable due to a side strain and pace bowler Scott Kuggeleijn is in the New Zealand A team.
Northern is also without test players Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner, but test wicketkeeper BJ Watling is available and will need to prove his fitness. He has been struggling with a hip complaint.
