The Minnesota Golden Gophers were just a few inches away from victory, down by three at the No. 16 Michigan one-yard line. But they failed to convert a quarterback sneak as time expired to lose 29-26. The No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes haven’t suffered a loss all season long. But they’ll be without starting quarterback J.T. Barrett next week after the sophomore was caught driving under the influence.
It’s going to be a huge matchup in the Big Ten. Check out some more big time games with our complete previews for No. 5 TCU vs. No. 12 Oklahoma State and No. 17 Florida State vs. No. 3 Clemson.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Preview
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus
When: Saturday, November 7, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Minnesota Golden Gophers (+23) at Ohio State Buckeyes (-23) – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: ABC
Betting on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-4, 1-3 Big Ten)
Minnesota was in Michigan’s one-yard line with just two seconds left in the game. Instead of going for a field goal to force overtime, interim coach Tracy Claeys elected to go for the win. Mitch Leidner was stuffed as time expired in the 29-26 loss on Saturday night.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]The loss wasted a big performance from Leidner, who passed for a career-high 317 yards and a touchdown for the Gophers. He was clutch on the final possession, converting a fourth-and-5 with a 12-yard pass before hitting wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky for a 22-yard gain to settle Minnesota on the Michigan one-yard line.
Leidner may struggle to get another big game considering Ohio State has the best pass defense in the Big Ten, allowing just 149.3 yards per game. If Minnesota is to keep this close against the defending national champions, then it’ll need its rushing offense to gain some ground.
Running back Rodney Smith, who leads the Gophers with 541 yards and 127 carries, should have a favorable matchup against Ohio State’s patchy rushing defense. The Buckeyes are allowing over 150 yards rushing per game, 10th in the 14-team Big Ten. Shannon Brooks is also a capable backup with 349 yards and three scores, including a long 71-yarder, on 57 carries.
On the other side of the ball, Minnesota has a handful of players who could pick off a pretty inaccurate quarterback in Ohio State’s Cardale Jones, who has seven touchdowns to five interceptions this season. Jalen Myrick has three interceptions this year, including a pick-six. Briean Boddy-Calhoun has two inteceptions, while Eric Murray and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell each have one.
The Gophers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games.
Betting on the Ohio State Buckeyes (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten)
J.T. Barrett finally gave Ohio State a very workable offense. In his first start of the season, he completed 14 of 18 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns. Barrett added 101 yards rushing and two scores on 13 carries. Unfortunately, he was caught for operating a vehicle while intoxicated early Halloween morning. He’s been suspended for this upcoming game and will forfeit his summer term financial aid next year.
With Barrett out of at least this game, Cardale Jones will be back at quarterback after being less-than-stellar while starting for most of the season. Jones has passed for seven touchdowns and five interceptions this season, as mentioned above. He’s also had three games with a completion percentage of under 58 percent.
Wide receiver Michael Thomas has caught four of Jones’ touchdown passes this season. He should be able to give his quarterback a steady target as he leads the Buckeyes with 536 yards receiving this season. Thomas’ presence in the receiving corps should help Jones crack a tough Minnesota defense, which allows just 176.3 yards passing per game.
Even if Ohio State’s passing game can’t get off with Jones under center, the Buckeyes can still turn to running back Ezekiel Elliott. The Heisman Trophy-contending running back has been spectacular with 1,130 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns this season.
Elliott has seemed to have kicked into gear recently with back-to-back 140-yard rushing games and three total rushing scores in his last two games. He gives Ohio State the perfect weapon to exploit Minnesota’s defense which allows 148.38 yards rushing per game.
Ohio State has a pretty solid pass rush on the other side of the ball. The Buckeyes rank third in the Big Ten with 26 sacks this season. Senior defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis leads the way with 5.5 sacks, while rookie Sam Hubbard and junior Joey Bossa trail with 3.5 each. Minnesota is allowing 1.63 sacks per game this season.
The Buckeyes have won nine straight against Minnesota, going 6-3 ATS.
Writer’s Prediction
Minnesota fights tough to cover the spread, but not enough to win the game. Create a betting account now and cash in on the exciting college football games this season.
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