I’m typically pretty optimistic in my previews, but I’m not holding my breath for this game to result in a Gopher win.
How to Watch
TV: NBC
Time: 6:30
Stream: Peacock
Ohio State has dominated the Gophers,
currently holding a 13-game win streak. The last Gopher win was actually at the Horseshoe back in 2000. Can Minnesota end this losing streak?
3 KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN
Playmakers need to lead the way – We have some talented players on this roster. They are going to HAVE to make big plays on Saturday night. On defense I’m looking at Anthony Smith, Kerry Brown and Koi Perich. Can they apply pressure and/or come up with a big turnover? And on offense, it is going to be on the arm of the quarterback.
Offensive line needs its best game of the year – Every season, it takes the offensive line several weeks to hit its stride. It’s best is needed now.
Let Drake Lindsey cook – At halftime of the Rutgers game, the coaching staff decided to put the balance of the game on Lindsey’s arm. And he was elite. Saturday night in Columbus will be a totally different beast, but let him go again. Maybe he gets into a rhythm and leads the offense to some points, an unusual feat against this Buckeye defense. Or maybe he struggles, but this becomes a teachable moment for the young quarterback. Let him go and see what happens.
OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH
- #25 RB – Bo Jackson – not “that” Bo Jackson, but still an excellent running back. He did not play in the season opener against Texas, but leads the team in rushing.
- #2 S – Caleb Downs – a junior safety who is a likely top 10 pick in next spring’s NFL Draft.
PREDICTION
This game feels a little bit like the movie Rocky. Apolo Creed was undefeated and no boxer had made it through the final round against him. Rocky was never expected to win, but he wanted to make it through to the end. To prove he belonged and earned Creed’s respect. The Ohio State defense has yet to allow double-digit points and the outcome of their four games has never been in doubt. Can the Gophers hang around and score some points?
For me, this game is about growth. Lindsey is going to experience the Horseshoe and he’s going to go up against an elite defense. This will be good for him. It may be a frustrating day, but the hope is that he learns from this and is prepared for the next time he leads the Gopher offense against a national championship caliber team.
Once in a while, college football is nuts and even the elite teams get taken down by an unassuming opponent. Will that be Drake Lindsey and the Gophers? I doubt it, but I’ll tune in to watch.
Minnesota – 17
Ohio State – 39
