Okay, I hoped someone else with more talent for schematic analysis would make a move here. Here's my effort:
Minnesota's reshirt freshman QB, Drake Lindsay, is a big kid with a big arm, good balance, and good throws. Unfortunately, he doesn't have access to the caliber of receivers that Minnesota has fielded in the last decade. The best pass catcher on the team is probably tight end Jameson Geers. The tight end squad as a group is a strength.
Minnesota has plenty of talent at RB, but the first two options have been out with injuries in recent weeks. They have really missed talented starter Darius Taylor in the past two games, a loss against Cal and a tight win over Rutgers. The best of the rest is Fame Ijeboi, who runs well in traffic and presently leads the team with 173 yards on 35 carries. Minnesota really needs at least moderate success and balance from its offense to make this game competitive.
The offense started the season with new starters at every line position, but it isn't as patchwork as that sounds. Some of the new regulars have started in the past, and they all have substantial experience. Thus far the pass blocking has been better than the run blocking, but the team is well coached, and at some point the line will gel. It would be a pleasant surprise for Minnesota if that were to happen against Ohio State.
On defense there is elite talent, but the talent is unevenly distributed. The line and the safeties are real strengths, and the linebackers are good by any standard,, but the cornerbacks have been burned frequently in '25. Everyone talks about Koi Perich, but his effect on defense has been largely nullified by merely moving the ball away from him. Other names to watch for include junior DL Anthony Smith, senior DL Deven Eastern, and DBs Kerry Brown and John Nestor. Don't be surprised if all five personnel named here play in the NFL.
The coaching staff is thoroughly capable and professional, but the most striking aspect of PJ Fleck's approach is his commitment to philosophy, psychology, and player development. Don't expect revolutionary tactics or strategies here, just a carefully managed culture, well-developed philosophy, and an ambition to be the most violent team in the Big Ten. Because Fleck knows that if you can't beat em, you can at least make them remember you.
