College football has once again returned to the virtual world in EA Sports College Football 26, allowing fans of all 134 FBS schools to take control of their favorite team. For Buckeye Nation, that means
getting to dominate with one of the best rosters in the game.
The game also allows us to get a glimpse at what the season could look like, at least if the computers had their say. Each week, Land-Grant Holy Land will simulate Ohio State’s real-life matchup to see what our AI overlords think will happen.
Here are the results of our Week 6 sim:
Ohio State 44 – Minnesota 6
It was another weird start in this one, as Minnesota scored the first six points of the game with fields goals on their first two drives. Unfortunately for the Gophers, those would be their only points scored for the entirety of the game.
That 6-0 lead was short lived, as a 4-yard touchdown by Max Klare put Ohio State on top 7-6 by the end of the first quarter.
The Buckeyes’ offense continued its slow start in the second quarter. Brandon Inniss hauled in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Julian Sayin to open up the period, but Ohio State could only muster a 25-yard field the rest of the half as they took a 17-6 lead into the break.
Ohio State opened up the third quarter a little better, as Jeremiah Smith scored on a 19-yard catch-and-run touchdown on opening possession to extend the Buckeyes’ lead. Smith scored again not too long later, this time on a short 4-yard touchdown grab, and after yet another field goal by Jayden Fielding, the home team was now firmly in charge, 34-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
The starters remained in the game for a few more drives, with Carnell Tate tacking on a short rushing touchdown and Fielding adding one final field goal to reach our final score of 44-6 in favor of Ohio State.
Overall, Ohio State out-gained Minnesota 443-158. The Buckeyes dominated on both sides of the ball on third down, converting 10-of-18 opportunities on offense and holding the Gophers to 2-of-16. OSU averaged 5.7 yards per play, while Minnesota managed just 2.5 yards per play.
Key Contributors
Ohio State (Offense)
- Julian Sayin: 34-of-46 passing, 330 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
- James Peoples: 14 carries for 76 yards
- Carnell Tate: 9 catches for 138 yards (+ 1 rush for 2 yards, TD)
- Jeremiah Smith: 6 catches for 62 yards, 2 TD
- Brandon Inniss: 5 catches for 58 yards, 1 TD
Ohio State (Defense)
- Eddrick Houston: 7 tackles, 3 TFL, 2.5 sacks
- Kenyatta Jackson: 5 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks
- Beau Atkinson: 5 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks
- Davison Igbinosun: 3 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 PBU, 1 sack
- Arvell Reese: 6 tackles, 1 FF
Minnesota (Offense)
- Drake Lindsey: 19-of-36 passing, 208 yards
- Darius Taylor: 14 carries for 32 yards (+ 6 catches for 42 yards)
- Javon Tracy: 4 catches for 44 yards
- Le’Meke Brockington: 3 catches for 41 yards
Minnesota (Defense)
- Maverick Baranowski: 8 tackles
- Jeff Roberson: 4 tackles, 1 TFL
- Jalen Logan-Redding: 4 tackles, 1 TFL
- Mo Omonode: 1 TFL, 1 sack
- Jaylen Bowden: 4 tackles, 1 INT
Check back to see how Ohio State actually performed on the field compared to the simulation, and see how they fare in our Week 7 simulation against Illinois.
