Being the Buckeye beat’s black sheep blog, we here at Land-Grant Holy Land like to pat ourselves on the back. So, throughout the season, members of our staff will be making predictions about that day’s game. They will go on the record with what they think the final score will be, who the game’s MVP will be, and what the major storyline will be coming out of the day.
Today, at 7:30 p.m. ET, the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes will host a rare Big Ten night game as the Minnesota Golden Gophers visit The Shoe.
This will be the only home game that the Buckeyes play this month, so let’s hope they make it exciting for the Homecoming crowd.
Check out what our staff members think and then let us know your thoughts on the game in the comments below. As we move forward with the season, you will be able to keep up with just how well our prognosticators do on a weekly basis HERE.
Michael Citro
Score Prediction: Ohio State 38, Minnesota 10
Game MVP: Bo Jackson will go for over 100 yards and will have two touchdowns.
Major Storyline: Bo Jackson emerges as Ohio State’s undisputed RB1.
Alex Frank
Score Prediction: Ohio State 34, Minnesota 20
Game MVP: Julian Sayin will throw for 324 yds and three touchdowns on 26-for-35 passing.
Major Storyline: Finally! Brian Hartline unleashes this lethally talented offense!
Joey Gertz
Score Prediction: Ohio State 35, Minnesota 7
Game MVP: Bo Jackson is going to have 128 yards and touchdowns.
Major Storyline: Dominance in the trenches. Ohio State rushes for over 200, and the defense holds Minnesota to less than 50 total rushing yards.
Justin Golba
Score Prediction: Ohio State 41, Minnesota 13
Game MVP: Max Klare will be the game’s MVP after scoring two touchdowns.
Major Storyline: This will be the breakout game for Max Klare that propels him into the rest of the season.
Dan Hessler
Score Prediction: Ohio State 38, Minnesota 13
Game MVP: Jeremiah Smith gets over 100 yards and has three touchdowns.
Major Storyline: Jeremiah Smith cements himself as the best player in college football this year.
Caleb Houser
Score Prediction: Ohio State 38, Minnesota 10
Game MVP: Julian Sayin will throw for 293 yards and three touchdowns on 18-for-24 passing.
Major Storyline: Ohio State opens the playbook and plays faster, pushing the ball downfield for the first time this season.
Jami Jurich
Score Prediction: Ohio State 38, Minnesota 7
Game MVP: Minnesota’s run defense could cause issues for the Buckeyes as they continue to figure out their rushing attack, so Julian Sayin will carry the team through the air and throw for five touchdowns.
Major Storyline: After several weeks of conservative offensive play-calling, Julian Sayin is allowed to let loose a bit and really shines.
Connor Lemons
Score Prediction: Ohio State 42, Minnesota 6
Game MVP: Bo Jackson will have 150 yards and a touchdown.
Major Storyline: Ohio State is going to keep winning games on the back of its defense, but eventually the offense is going to start catching up. That should scare people.
Brett Ludwiczak
Score Prediction: Ohio State 38, Minnesota 10
Game MVP: Caleb Downs will ramp up his performance as Ohio State dives deeper into Big Ten play, picking off Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey.
Major Storyline: In their only home game in October, Ohio State handles its business as it continues to relentlessly pressure the opposing quarterback.
Gene Ross
Score Prediction: Ohio State 35, Minnesota 7
Game MVP: Jeremiah Smith will finish the night with 6 catches, 112 yards, and 2 TD
Major Storyline: Aaron Scott plays at nickel corner and records an interception.
Matt Tamanini
Score Prediction: Ohio State 45, Minnesota 3
Game MVP: The Ohio State defense will record seven sacks on quarterback Drake Lindsey.
Major Storyline: Minnesota’s rush defense will put up a bit of a fight, but Bo Jackson and the backs will look better than they have thus far. However, it will be the OSU passing game that leads the scoring today, finally opening things up and letting Julian Sayin push the ball deep.
Cole VanWiechen
Score Prediction: Ohio State 35, Minnesota 6
Game MVP: Jeremiah Smith will kick off his Heisman Trophy campaign.
Major Storyline: J.J. 4 Heisman!
Ryan Weckstein
Score Prediction: Ohio State 40, Minnesota 10
Game MVP: Arvell Reese will for for 10 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
Major Storyline: Ohio State finally starts strong with back-to-back touchdown drives. Defense finishes the job to keep the Buckeyes undefeated.
