Minnesota

When I think about playing the Gophers this week,  the first thing that comes to mind is this.

Really, there’s not a lot of recent history with this team.  I mean, the last time we played Minnesota was 2 head coaches again, 2 QBs ago, and I think the second year of TCF Bank Stadium.  Of the “traditional” B1G teams, we’ve only played MSU less times than the Gophers.  What history there is – well, it’s not pretty for Minnesota. The Buckeyes have won virtually every matchup (including all of them in Minneapolis) since 1981.   That’s 23 of the last 24 (the exception being Glen Mason’s upset of the No. 5 Buckeyes in 2000 -Cooper’s last year).   Ohio State is 43-7 in the 50 matchups, an .860 winning percentage.   Let’s put it another way – if you go back 110 years and take ALL the teams we’ve played at least 10 times in our history, the Buckeyes have a better winning percentage against only one other team . . . Indiana.  In case I’m not making my point clear, when Minnesota plays Ohio State, this is usually what happens to the Gophers’ hopes of victory.

This year may be different though.  Minnesota is 7-2 and just blew out a decent Iowa team.  They are ranked No. 25 by the College Football Committee.  And we get the Gophers after an emotional win v. Sparty.  At 11:00 a.m. CST.  In snow.  (Did you know – Minnesota is 8-2 in their last ten 11:00 a.m. starts?)

Here’s what you need to know about the Gophers – they play from ahead.   They get down early, it’s tough for them to come back because they have the 120^th ranked passing offense in the nation (in fairness, they did come back from deficits v. Illinois – LOSS, and Purdue – WIN, but those were against Illinois, and Purdue).   They are not going to methodically drive down the field either, as they are 104^th in first downs.  What they are going to do is play good defense and not make any mistakes.  They will wait for you to make them then capitalize.  If they get up early, they are going to go all Rowdy Roddy Piper on us and put us in the sleeper hold.  We will wake up on the bus to the airport with a loss wondering what happened to us.

The line is currently Ohio State -14 with the over/under at 56.5.   I’m scared about a letdown.  I’m concerned about the weather.  I am concerned about the Gophers.   On the other hand we are rolling.   We got mo.   And maybe the Gophers are hungover from last week’s big win in the Floyd of Rosedale game.  And in looking at Minnesota’s schedule, there’s not a lot of tough wins out there – save Iowa.  I’m going to say we don’t let them get the early lead and we continue our offensive prowess.   I will even predict that the Buckeyes cover – barely - in a 35-20 final.  And I guess I’m taking the under.