Gophers vs. Buckeyes: Preview, Prediction and Poll

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The Minnesota Gophers have a chance to completely shake up the Big Ten on Saturday and the Ohio State Buckeyes have a chance to add a another top-25 victory to their CFB Playoff resume. Both teams come in with confidence after two big victories. On Saturday night, the Buckeyes unleashed an offensive explosion against an excellent Michigan State Spartans team on the road and in front of the whole country. The Gophers just completed an all-phases domination of the 6-3 Iowa Hawkeyes. Confidence won’t be an issue for either team here and all signs point to a great battle at chilly TCF Bank Stadium.

The Buckeyes come into this one as 12-point favorites, even though they are facing a top-25 opponent on the road. This just goes to show how the nation feels about this offensive juggernaut. After losing their elite QB Braxton Miller at the beginning of the year, they put the season on the back of freshman J.T. Barrett. How has he done? How about leading one of the top programs in the country to an 8-1 record with 26 touchdowns and 7 picks. At times, it seems like there is almost no defense that can stop this dual-threat QB.

Nov 8, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Coach Jerry Kill knows the challenge Barrett presents, saying, “Braxton is very very good, but this young man, they’ve done a great job of bringing him along. He has the same type of running ability but he throws the ball better than Braxton did and Braxton threw it good.” He continued, “This kids on fire right now.”

As perennial top-15 teams do, Ohio State brings a very solid defense to the field. They bring a ton of pressure and have only allowed 21.8 points per game this year. When your offense scores 46 per game, that will work. After a perfect game plan against Iowa, Gophers Offensive Coordinator Matt Limegrover will have his work to do once again.

“They’re going to rush the passer every down, whether it’s first and ten or third and twelve they’re going to try and disrupt and rush the passer,” said Coach Limegrover. “It’s almost the exact opposite of what we faced against Iowa,” he added.

The Gophers have established their identity and need to stick to it. On offense, run the ball effectively to set up the play action and win the field position battle. On defense, continue to make plays on third downs and create turnovers. This has been the Gophers’ formula for contending in the Big Ten West.

OSU Coach Urban Meyer knows it won’t be easy.

“I’ve never coached against Minnesota and I’ve known about Coach Kill for a long time and he’s as fundamental of a football coach as there is in America. He’s got some excellent players so it’s not by accident they’re winning games,” Meyer said, “They really are a stop-the-run mentality. They’re packed in there pretty tight. Very good defensive line.”

Prediction

In order for the Gophers to have a chance in this one, which I think they do, it will have to start on defense. The Maroon and Gold can not get into an offensive shootout with the Buckeyes. We just saw Michigan State get into that position and it go so well for them. .

In reality, it will have to be a perfect game for the Gophers to win, which I just can’t predict. Ohio State will have a tough time in this one, but ultimately prevail 31-21. I’d take the Gophers with the 12 points Vegas is giving.

But, who knows. If the crowd is loud and the air is cold, anything can happen.

Oct 25, 2014; Champaign, IL, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Jerry Kill watches from the sideline in the game against the Illinios Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Illinois beat Minnesota 28 to 24. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

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