Media Prediction Thread: Ohio State at Minnesota

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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BuckeyesWire first out of the gate with an early prediction:

The Buildup
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck looked like he had his team rowing the boat out into open Big Ten waters but things ran aground last season. The defense has to get much better, and there are questions at quarterback. Fleck is still trying to get all the oars in the water in the Twin Cities and it’s unlikely his squad can spring the upset before springing a leak against the Buckeyes’ roster this fall.

Early Knee-Jerk Prediction
Ohio State 42, Minnesota 20

buckeyeswire.usatoday.com

Very early Ohio State football 2021 game-by-game predictions

Yeah, we know it’s only early March, but we’re always anticipating the next football season at Ohio State. There’s a football factory sitting on the banks of the Olentangy, and th…
buckeyeswire.usatoday.com buckeyeswire.usatoday.com

Go Gophers!!
 


MNVCGUY said:
Going to go way out on a limb and say that we won't see any National Media predictions come in for us on this game :)
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That's a very study limb...;) ...I will be surprised if any predictions have Gophs with in 14 points.
 




My confidence level in this game is about equal to what it was going into the PSU game in 2019, although Olave coming back makes me slightly less confident.

I do think we have a good chance to keep it within single digits like we did with the 2014 OSU national title team or with TCU when they were ranked #2 in the country in the Thursday night opener. Actually the last 3 times we've played OSU, we haven't gotten completely embarrassed, its actually been somewhat competitive for at least part of the game in 2014,15 and 18.

Although the schedule is tougher so it will be harder to get as many wins, I am just as optimistic about this years team as I was about last years before the pandemic. I think we have a top 25/top 20 team due to basically getting everyone back except for two starters which is more than any other Big Ten team.
 

We will know a lot about our team after this game. Biggest questions I have.

1.) Which Morgan shows up? - 2019 (midseason form) or 2019 early and most of 2020 (eyes one receiver and accuracy issues, especially in long ball)
2.) Can any of our receivers create noticeable separation?
3.) Will our defense come out competitive against the run? (will our DT show improvement, especially against talent OL talent, will our linebackers fill the gaps and have enough athleticism to overcome mistakes.)
4.) Will our kicking game be Big Ten worthy? (I would take solid Div 1 worthy at this point)

Ohio State will put stress on the entire team. I do think MN can surprise people in this game. With so much returning offensive and defensive talent there are reasons to think we can be successful against a OSU team starting a new QB.
 


I think if we can get a spark early in the game, like we did against PSU with the interception and scoring first, we could have a shot. Win or lose, this game will show us what type of team we have and should set our expectations.
 



gophernut1 said:
We will know a lot about our team after this game. Biggest questions I have.

1.) Which Morgan shows up? - 2019 (midseason form) or 2019 early and most of 2020 (eyes one receiver and accuracy issues, especially in long ball)
2.) Can any of our receivers create noticeable separation?
3.) Will our defense come out competitive against the run? (will our DT show improvement, especially against talent OL talent, will our linebackers fill the gaps and have enough athleticism to overcome mistakes.)
4.) Will our kicking game be Big Ten worthy? (I would take solid Div 1 worthy at this point)

Ohio State will put stress on the entire team. I do think MN can surprise people in this game. With so much returning offensive and defensive talent there are reasons to think we can be successful against a OSU team starting a new QB.
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We will know more about our team than we would after a typical first game against a creampuff but no matter what happens against OSU I hope people avoid over reacting too much (slim chance of that happening around here I know)
 

I thought Gophers would open with a win against Michigan last year. Never the less I am geared up for this game.
 

Friday, September 3, 2021
Minneapolis, MN

In what some Ohio State message board posters described as “a giant mule kick to the groin”, the Minnesota Gophers upset the Buckeyes last night, 38-34, in a delirious TCF Bank Stadium.

“This is what I got vaccinated for!” screamed one man as he stormed the field along with thousands of other maroon-and-gold fans, hugging and kissing more than a few startled onlookers.

Gopher quarterback Tanner Morgan was ruthless in his efficiency, completing 23 of 29 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns, both of them to veteran wideout Chris Autman-Bell.

The Ohio State defense, reeling from the loss of graduations and early entrants into the NFL draft, simply had no answer for Morgan and running back Mo Ibrahim, who kicked off his Heisman candidacy with 155 yards and three touchdowns.

Buckeye coach Ryan Day could do nothing but shake his head in sadness and confusion as redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud looked lost in his first career start. He was under relentless pressure all game from the Gopher defensive line, particularly end Boye Mafe, who registered two sacks, and tackle De’Angelo Carter, who could be seen sitting atop the goalposts after the game, mugging for the band.

When asked for comment as he walked off the field, Buckeye offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson muttered, “Stroud just sucks so bad. I wonder where Tate Martell is and if he has any eligibility left?”

It didn’t help the Ohio State cause when All-American receiver Chris Olave, clearly frustrated by the smothering coverage of Gopher cornerback Coney Durr, took a swing at Durr early in the third quarter and was ejected. To that point, Durr had allowed Olave just one catch for seven yards, which he promptly fumbled.

“We were probably looking ahead to Oregon a little bit,” admitted Day. Just a few yards away, Gopher tight end Ko Kieft said, “We considered this more of a tune-up for Miami of Ohio,” and flexed for dozens of admirers.

In a touching moment as players headed for the locker room and fans headed for the exits, P.J. Fleck and new Gopher basketball coach Craig Smith rubbed each other’s bald heads in celebration and vowed to repeat the act for good luck before future games.
 

I honestly like our odds because OSU is replacing their QB and we return our O line, Morgan, and MO. Hopefully OSU does not have an offensive identity yet since its the first game of the year.
 



If the Gophers get the ball first and the Offensive line is in full force I could see us sustaining a nice long ball control drive with plenty of Mo all the way to the end zone.

We will need to see this repeated several times in order to keep the OSU blitzkrieg off the field and give our defense a chance. Mix in some quick hitters by our quarterback to the receivers and we could just out control them.

That is pretty much the only way I see us winning against the Buckeyes.
 

Otis said:
If the Gophers get the ball first and the Offensive line is in full force I could see us sustaining a nice long ball control drive with plenty of Mo all the way to the end zone.

We will need to see this repeated several times in order to keep the OSU blitzkrieg off the field and give our defense a chance. Mix in some quick hitters by our quarterback to the receivers and we could just out control them.

That is pretty much the only way I see us winning against the Buckeyes.
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Think it is pretty safe to assume we are going to need some breaks to go our way to get the W. Win the turnover battle, don't make a lot of mistakes and anything can happen. First games are weird which is why I am glad we get to face them in week 1.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Think it is pretty safe to assume we are going to need some breaks to go our way to get the W. Win the turnover battle, don't make a lot of mistakes and anything can happen. First games are weird which is why I am glad we get to face them in week 1.
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Fleck's teams usually get better as the year goes on but yes, need to catch OSU before their QB matures.
 

We need all the breaks - Gophers taken for granted, for the refs to be generous to the Gophers, Gophers play mistake free game, tOSU to have a bad case of diarrhea.
 

More Mo, win the TO battle and have our D make some plays. Confidence in all these factors going our way are low but it could happen.
 



We will not only need the breaks but the defense HAS to show up. That was the biggest surprise to me in last year's Michigan game. We got off to a great start, had them on their heels and then oops, they started running the ball up the middle and nobody was there. That is going to need to change in a hurry.
 


TCU and Michigan come to my mind as to first games. Looking for a better start. Believe we can do it though mainly as they will have a new quarterback. Wonder if the players work out harder in the off season knowing that Ohio State is their first opponent?
 



Urbandale said:
Friday, September 3, 2021
Minneapolis, MN

In what some Ohio State message board posters described as “a giant mule kick to the groin”, the Minnesota Gophers upset the Buckeyes last night, 38-34, in a delirious TCF Bank Stadium.

“This is what I got vaccinated for!” screamed one man as he stormed the field along with thousands of other maroon-and-gold fans, hugging and kissing more than a few startled onlookers.

Gopher quarterback Tanner Morgan was ruthless in his efficiency, completing 23 of 29 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns, both of them to veteran wideout Chris Autman-Bell.

The Ohio State defense, reeling from the loss of graduations and early entrants into the NFL draft, simply had no answer for Morgan and running back Mo Ibrahim, who kicked off his Heisman candidacy with 155 yards and three touchdowns.

Buckeye coach Ryan Day could do nothing but shake his head in sadness and confusion as redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud looked lost in his first career start. He was under relentless pressure all game from the Gopher defensive line, particularly end Boye Mafe, who registered two sacks, and tackle De’Angelo Carter, who could be seen sitting atop the goalposts after the game, mugging for the band.

When asked for comment as he walked off the field, Buckeye offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson muttered, “Stroud just sucks so bad. I wonder where Tate Martell is and if he has any eligibility left?”

It didn’t help the Ohio State cause when All-American receiver Chris Olave, clearly frustrated by the smothering coverage of Gopher cornerback Coney Durr, took a swing at Durr early in the third quarter and was ejected. To that point, Durr had allowed Olave just one catch for seven yards, which he promptly fumbled.

“We were probably looking ahead to Oregon a little bit,” admitted Day. Just a few yards away, Gopher tight end Ko Kieft said, “We considered this more of a tune-up for Miami of Ohio,” and flexed for dozens of admirers.

In a touching moment as players headed for the locker room and fans headed for the exits, P.J. Fleck and new Gopher basketball coach Craig Smith rubbed each other’s bald heads in celebration and vowed to repeat the act for good luck before future games.
Click to expand...
76355418.jpg
 

BleedGopher said:
BuckeyesWire first out of the gate with an early prediction:

The Buildup
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck looked like he had his team rowing the boat out into open Big Ten waters but things ran aground last season. The defense has to get much better, and there are questions at quarterback. Fleck is still trying to get all the oars in the water in the Twin Cities and it’s unlikely his squad can spring the upset before springing a leak against the Buckeyes’ roster this fall.

Early Knee-Jerk Prediction
Ohio State 42, Minnesota 20

buckeyeswire.usatoday.com

Very early Ohio State football 2021 game-by-game predictions

Yeah, we know it’s only early March, but we’re always anticipating the next football season at Ohio State. There’s a football factory sitting on the banks of the Olentangy, and th…
buckeyeswire.usatoday.com buckeyeswire.usatoday.com

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...
Sadly, this prediction sounds about right to me. I don't expect the D to be as putrid as it was early last year, but they'll still be gROWing with lots of new faces and a lack of depth at LB and the secondary. I can't imagine OSU doesn't rush for over 200 while also getting plenty through the air -- much of that to Olave on bubbles, screens, and under routes to get their new QB comfortable.

Can MInnesota win? Of course. They'd likely need to use Mo and that experienced OL to dominate TOP while selling out on D to stop the run and force OSU's inexperienced QB to win the game with downfield throws (which hopefully leads to a couple turnovers). I'm not personally optimistic, but that's why they play the games! SUM-RTB-GG!
 

#2Gopher said:
TCU and Michigan come to my mind as to first games. Looking for a better start. Believe we can do it though mainly as they will have a new quarterback. Wonder if the players work out harder in the off season knowing that Ohio State is their first opponent?
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While I like to believe that the team is working as hard as they can every year during off-season, I also understand the feeling of suddenly finding a bit extra in the tank because you're preparing for a big game.
 

BigGopher69 said:
I honestly like our odds because OSU is replacing their QB and we return our O line, Morgan, and MO. Hopefully OSU does not have an offensive identity yet since its the first game of the year.
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What about Gophs Defense?
 


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