Aug. 30, 2021: Gophers football officially kicks off its season Thursday night; hosting the No. 4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, find all of the information you need to know about OSU in this week’s preview.
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Broadcast Info:
- Date: Thurs., Sept. 2
- TV channel: Fox
- Time of kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (CT)
- Broadcast team: Gus Johnson (play-by-play) and Joel Klatt (color analyst)
**Fox sport’s “Big Noon Kickoff” team, featuring host Rob Stone, alongside college football legends Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn and Bob Stoops will be on-site in Minneapolis for pregame, halftime and postgame analysis.
Opponent Information (Ohio State):
- 2020 record: 7-1/Big Ten Champions/National runner-ups
- Head Coach: Ryan Day (3rd season)
- Returning starters: 12
- Players to watch: Chris Olave (WR), Garrett Wilson (WR), CJ Stroud (QB), Zach Harrison (DE)
Minnesota welcomes the defending Big Ten Champions, Ohio State to Huntington Bank Stadium Thursday night. The Golden Gophers come into week one’s tilt with the Buckeyes as (+13.5) point underdogs. For those with a betting interest, the total (over/under) is 65.5 (points). I am here to give you all the information that you need to impress your friends at your tailgate or house party.
Ohio State season storylines:
- Replicating 2020 success:
Following last season’s (52-24) defeat in the National Championship to the hands of Alabama, Ohio State most notably lost QB Justin Fields to the NFL Draft. RB Trey Sermon, DB Shaun Wade, LB Tuf Borland and (new Vikings guard) OL Wyatt Davis were also major contributors from last season to move on to greener pastures. That might seem like a lot to replace for most programs, but hey it’s Ohio State.
- Best WR room ever?:
As a surprise to many All-Big Ten, WR Chris Olave decided to return to Columbus for his senior season. He came back to play alongside now-junior WR Garrett Wilson; making one of the best WR-duos that college football has seen in recent memory. Many scouts and analysts view Wilson and Olave as two of, if not the best wide receivers in college football. Barring a significant injury both players are viewed as sure-fire first-round picks by many. 2020 5-star recruit Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a high-level talent that could very well be the best/most talented WR3 in the country. 2020 5-star recruit Julian Fleming joins 2021 4-star recruit Marvin Harrison Jr. (son of NFL HOF Marvin Harrison) as the team’s fourth and fifth freaking wide receiver. I think the Buckeyes’ 2021 WR room could be very comparable to the 2018 Alabama team that saw four of its receivers, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle all go on to become first-round picks.
- Replacing Fields with CJ Stroud:
Ryan Day and Ohio State are tasked with replacing an all-time great behind center. Justin Fields’ nearly 7,000 total career yards from scrimmage and 86 career touchdowns is a tall task for any team or any QB to replicate. In comes redshirt-freshman CJ Stroud, standing at 6-foot-3 215+ pounds, Stroud came to Columbus, Ohio with quite the hype. As a 4-star prospect and consensus top-3 QB in the class of 2020, Stroud also took home the Elite 11 QB competition MVP (won by Fields, Tua Tagovailoa, Jamies Winston) in his senior season. Basically, Stroud had as good of an argument as any to be the top QB prospect in 2020. With zero career completions, it is obviously hard to trust a player even if they’re of Stroud’s caliber, but there is no reason why he cannot be the next-in-line of great Ohio State quarterbacks. The Buckeyes might need it if they want to come away with a victory on Sept. 2.
- Defense/RB question marks:
The Buckeyes will be losing major eight major contributors from their defense a season ago. On the defensive line Jonathan Cooper, and Tommy Togiai are all gone. Virtually the entirety of OSU’s linebacking core Baron Browning, Pete Werner, Tuf Borland and Justin Hilliard are all on an NFL roster, lastly versatile defensive back Shaun Wade is the only major departure from the secondary. Like it typically does, Ohio State is expected to reload on defense. 2019 five-star defensive end Zach Harrison is likely the next-in-line of highly drafted pass rushers to come out of Ohio State. DT Haskell Garrett will make a great duo upfront. The inexperienced linebacking core is likely the weakest point on the roster with three brand new starters. As for the secondary, Ohio State should try to do all they can to rely on their veteran talent led by a trio of seniors; Sevyn Banks, Josh Proctor and Marcus Williamson. Ohio State will always have talent across its roster, but this young and inexperienced defense will be asked to do a lot in 2021.
Under Urban Meyer and now Ryan Day, it has seemed like Ohio State has always had a workhorse running back; Ezekiel Elliot, JK Dobbins and Trey Sermon. The main man in 2021 will be junior RB Master Teague III. He has accumulated 1,500+ yards from scrimmage to go along with 13 touchdowns, but there is no telling if he will be able to handle the larger workload this season. There are rumblings that Teague has not impressed during camp and with five-star freshman TreVeyon Henderson nipping at his toes, it might not be Teague’s job for much longer. Even though the passing attack will be fierce, the Buckeyes could have a big weakness at the running back position.
Gophers’ path to victory:
I believe that Minnesota has to do one thing in order to keep up with Ohio State, retain momentum. Huntington Bank Stadium will be rocking with fans in attendance for the first time in almost two years, so the Gophers will have a lot of momentum and energy early in the game. It’s vital for the Gophers to have a fast start and limit short offensive drives. The quickest way to lose a home-field advantage is giving your fans nothing to cheer about. A lot of punts and short drives could completely take the air out of the stadium, while any defensive turnover could quickly get the place rocking. I think there are two things that must happen for the Golden Gophers to come away victorious. They must limit short offensive drives and win the turnover battle.
As for the X’s and O’s side of things, the most important matchup Thursday night will be Ohio State’s talented wide receivers against Minnesota’s secondary. The Gophers cannot let the Buckeyes’ receivers beat them. There is no secondary that can match up with OSU on the outside man for man. Minnesota must realize that and focus on limiting the passing attack. Constant pressure from Boye Mafe and the loaded interior should put pressure on a young QB like Stroud and cause him to make mistakes in his first career start. Ohio State will be productive in the passing game, but Minnesota will need to do everything it can to let OSU beat them any other way.
In my humble opinion, I believe that the Golden Gophers match up well against Ohio State in every other position group. Don’t get me wrong, there is a talent gap, but experience is something that always will play a role at this level of football. Minnesota’s veteran offensive line has an advantage over OSU’s defensive line which lacks significant depth. The Buckeye’s big hole being the linebacker position gives PJ Fleck’s squad the serious advantage in the running game, and I think they should have zero problems moving the ball on the ground throughout the contest. Ohio State’s experienced secondary might give the Minnesota passing attack problems, but I think if Tanner Morgan plays his game (as the most accurate QB in school history) the Gophers will be just fine. If the Gophers are able to limit mistakes and not let the primetime moment get too big, I believe there is zero reason why they cannot compete with the Buckeyes.