PJ Fleck’s second season at Minnesota has not inspired much confidence. The former Western Michigan head coach has kept the Golden Gophers above water with a 3-2 record, but none of those wins have come in Big Ten play. In fact, his 0-2 conference record has featured defeats against mid-tier programs (Maryland and Iowa) by a combined 46 points.
Minnesota vs. Ohio State 2018 pick: Predicting the winner, plus game time and TV/live stream info
The Buckeyes are a 29.5-point favorite, and it’s not hard to see why.
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But Fleck can make a statement — and notch Minnesota’s first win over a top 10 opponent since beating No. 6 Ohio State way back in 2000 — by upending the Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff aspirations Saturday.
Ohio State has climbed to a No. 3 ranking on the strength of a 6-0 start that’s featured five wins over Power 5 opponents and victories over a pair of top 15 squads; then-No. 15 TCU, and then-No. 9 Penn State. The Gophers shouldn’t pose too much of a problem in Week 7, but Fleck’s team will be hungry for a validating win in Columbus.
Minnesota vs. Ohio State prediction:
The Buckeyes are the No. 4 team in the latest round of the S&P+ rankings. The Golden Gophers clock in at No. 57. The preseason prediction pegged this as a 29-point win for Ohio State, and that might wind up a conservative estimate given Minnesota’s awful start to Big Ten play.
Time, TV channel, and streaming info
- Time: Noon. ET
- Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
- TV: Fox Sports 1
- Streaming: Fox Sports Go, fuboTV
- Odds: Ohio State is favored by 29.5 points.
Minnesota vs. Ohio State news:
- Ohio State should have one of the nation’s nastiest running attacks. So why don’t they?
Last season Dobbins finished with over 1,000 yards and Weber had a solid season despite missing games to injury. Of course, whenever running the ball is discussed, it starts with the offensive line. Against the Hoosiers, there just didn’t seem to be much of a push up front for Dobbins and Weber to create from, though Dobbins still showcased his ability. But with Ohio State seemingly shifting to more of a passing team anyway, balance has been an issue for the Buckeyes several weeks into the season.
- The Gophers have a new starting right tackle AND OH MY GOD DOES THAT SAY 400 POUNDS???
- Ohio State doesn’t have many weaknesses, but Urban Meyer knows short-yardage situations are near the top of the list.
- A complete lack of passing defense ceded Floyd of Rosedale to Iowa for the fourth straight season.
Who will score more points Saturday — JK Dobbins, or the entire Minnesota offense?
Minnesota has given up 45 points per game against conference foes — and they haven’t yet faced a program on Ohio State’s level. The Golden Gophers haven’t been especially good against the pass (Iowa’s Nathan Stanley threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns against them) or the run (Maryland ran for 315 yards and four touchdowns), so Tate Martell and JK Dobbins will have plenty of opportunities to show out in front of a home crowd.
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