Before every game, I ask a reporter who covers the Gophers’ upcoming opponent to give us a view from the opponent’s perspective.
This week, I asked Stefan Krajisnik from Cleveland.com six questions about the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Minnesota travels to Columbus for its first Big Ten road game this Saturday. The Gophers have lost the last 13 meetings and are 7-47 all-time against Ohio State. The last time Minnesota beat Ohio State was 25 years ago in Columbus.
Huge thanks to Stefan for sharing his thoughts with us!
1. After their shocking loss to rival Michigan last year, the Buckeyes would go on a tear and win their next four games to claim the national championship. Ohio State opened this season as the No. 3 team in the nation, but now finds itself No.1 after big wins against Texas and a good Washington team. What were the expectations for this Buckeyes team entering this season? In your opinion, have they met those expectations?
Expectations are always high at Ohio State, but I did have some questions regarding this year’s team. They entered the season with a lot of new starters, including at quarterback and both coordinator spots. Through four games, they’ve exceeded my expectations. The Buckeyes have arguably the nation’s best defense, and the offense is growing. To be the nation’s top-ranked team with so much new is impressive.
2. The Ohio State offense is led by Sophomore QB Julian Sayin, who has thrown for 987 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions on the year. His QBR of 82.2 ranks 14th in the country. He has arguably the best player in the country to throw it to in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. How would you grade the Buckeye offense four games into the season? Are there any areas of concern as the Buckeyes look to defend their title?
In terms of production compared to previous Ryan Day offenses, this year’s unit is underwhelming. That said, context is important. Ohio State has slowed down how it plays. The Buckeyes have fewer possessions, and they run fewer plays per game. That’s because they want to preserve their best players for when the College Football Playoff arrives. For example, OSU scored 24 points at Washington. Well, the Buckeyes only had seven possessions, including one to run out the clock. The only concern I have: if they need to flip the switch and play to score in the 40s or 50s, can they do so effectively?
3. The Buckeyes’ defense is one of the best in the nation. They are allowing only 229 total yards, which ranks eighth in the country. What makes the Ohio State defense so good? Are there any weaknesses that Minnesota could try to exploit?
Ohio State’s defense has first-round talent at every level, and there’s a former NFL head coach now calling the shots. The Buckeyes have the most versatile defense in the country, which means opposing quarterbacks don’t know what to expect. All-American safety Caleb Downs can sometimes play as a linebacker. Nickel back Lorenzo Styles Jr. can drop to safety. Linebacker Arvell Reese can cover, but he’s also among the best pass rushers on the team. Linebacker Sonny Styles is also elite in the box, and he’s a former safety. Kayden McDonald is superb at defensive tackle, but the only lingering question is alongside him. It remains unclear who the Buckeyes’ second-best defensive tackle is. I imagine Minnesota will try to attack Tywone Malone or Eddrick Houston, depending on who starts, in the running game.
4. The Buckeyes lost a significant number of starters from last year’s team. But if there is one thing about the Buckeyes’ recruiting, they never have to worry about reloading. What newcomers have impressed you the most this year? Can you give MN fans a few impact players that they should know about?
Freshman running back Bo Jackson wasn’t projected to start this season, but he’s quickly turned into the team’s best player at the position. He’s the first Buckeye to ever run for 100 yards in each of his first two games. The rest of the roster is relatively veteran, but a plethora of players stepped into starting roles for the first time. Reese is among them. I think he’s the best linebacker in the country.
5. Are there any Buckeye players in danger of missing the game due to injury?
The Buckeyes should be healthy against the Gophers.
6. The Gophers travel to Columbus for their first Big Ten road game of the season. Minnesota is 7-47 all-time against the Buckeyes. The last time the Gophers won was in 2000 in Columbus. Ohio State has won the previous 13 games against the Gophers. The Buckeyes are 23-point favorites against Minnesota. What do the Buckeyes need to do to stay undefeated this year? Do you see Minnesota beating the spread? What is your prediction for the game?
The biggest thing for Ohio State is always to play clean. Day has been dominant against unranked teams. He knows how to get the best out of his team when there’s a talent gap, so the focus is consistently on OSU playing its best brand and not worrying about who’s on the other side. That said, the Buckeyes do have a long-term vision, which could help Minnesota cover. If Saturday goes similarly to Ohio State’s game at Washington, there are only so many possessions to be had. That said, I predict a 33-7 win for the Buckeyes.