MINNESOTA at OHIO STATE

When: 3 p.m. CT Saturday
Where: Ohio Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: KFAN, 100.3 FM
Weather: 49 degrees, sunny, 6 mph east wind
Betting spread: Ohio State, -27.5

Records: The Gophers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) suffered a shocking 49-30 road loss to Purdue last Saturday. The second-ranked Buckeyes (10-0, 7-0) walked past Michigan State 38-3 at home last weekend.

History: Minnesota has lost 12 straight to Ohio State since a win at the Horseshoe in 2000. In 2021, the U had a 21-17 third-quarter lead over the Buckeyes, but lost 45-31. The Gophers are 7-46 all-time against the Buckeyes.

Key matchup: Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Gophers secondary. The future first-round NFL draft pick line up all over the formation and can hurt defenses in multiple ways. The U’s key will be limiting his yards after the catch. “Those (elite) guys, you don’t just make disappear,” Gophers defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said.

Who has the edge?

Gophers offense vs. Ohio State defense: This year’s Buckeyes squad is carried by its lights-out defense; they are No. 2 in the nation in both points (9.9) and passing yards (150) allowed through 10 games. Only Maryland’s offense has reached 17 points, something Penn State and Notre Dame couldn’t touch. The Gophers scoring offense is 102nd in nation at 22.4 points per game. … “Ohio State might be the twitchiest, most-explosive defensive line that I’ve seen all year,” Gophers OC Greg Harbaugh said Wednesday. Up front, JT Tuimoloau (34 pressures), Michael Hall (23) and Jack Sawyer (22) lead the way. Ohio State doesn’t have an impressive number of sacks, though, with only 19 and tied for 87th in the nation. Minnesota has allowed only 17. … “The secondary is also littered with draft picks,” an anonymous NFL scout told Lindy’s Sports. Denzel Burke leads that group; he has a team-high nine pass breakups. The U’s go-to WR Daniel Jackson has at least seven receptions and 100 yards in three of the last four games. … For a third straight week versus Purdue, the U offense started strong, but went MIA to start the second half. “I don’t think it has anything to do with lack of adjustments by coaches or players,” Harbaugh said. “I think it was everything to do with continuing to make sure we put our guys in positions to make plays. Then going and making plays.” EDGE: Ohio State

Gophers defense vs. Ohio State offense: With QB C.J. Stroud playing well as an NFL rookie, the Buckeyes have turned to Kyle McCord. “They’re just not going to be as good here, but that doesn’t mean the sky is falling,” an opposing Big Ten assistant told Athlon in the offseason.… McCord has 20 touchdowns, four interceptions and a completion percentage of 66. … Minnesota gave up an enormous 353 yards rushing to Purdue last week; the most allowed by the U in a game since 2020. Meanwhile, Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson is second in the Big Ten at 92.6 yards per game. … The U turned to inexperienced LBs Matt Kingsbury and Tyler Stolsky due to injuries to Cody Lindenberg and Maverick Baranowski. If those green linebackers must play again, look for the Bucks to attack the middle of the field with TE Cade Stover, who has 34 receptions for 508 yards and four TDs. … When the Gophers lost Jordan Howden in the 2021 game against Ohio State, the U had to turn to inexperienced safety Calvin Swenson. It was bombs away with all six of Ohio State’s touchdowns spanning 30 yard or more. Given that previous matchup and the Purdue game, a slew of explosive plays could be coming Saturday. EDGE: Ohio State 

Special teams: Both kickers — Dragan Kesich and Jayden Fielding — are making 84% of their field goals. Both punters — Mark Crawford and Jesse Micro — average 42 yards per punt. And neither kickoff or punt return unit has a put up a return over 35 yards. EDGE: Neither 

Prediction: The Gophers’ best shot to pull off a massive upset comes with Ohio State looking ahead to massive game against No. 3 Michigan next week and the U needing to be at least plus-two in turnover margin. Even with both of those, it won’t be enough. Ohio State, 38-10

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