Ohio State vs. Minnesota Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Video Best Bet

Sept. 2, 2021

Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Predictions

Score Prediction - Ohio State 31 Minnesota 23

There is dominance, and then there is what we have seen from Ohio State in their meetings with Minnesota over the last five decades. The Buckeyes have won 38 of their last 40 games against the Golden Gophers since the late 1960s, and Minnesota’s last win over Ohio State came in 2000. The Golden Gophers have lost 11 straight games in this series, and they have been held to 14 points or less in six of their last eight showdowns.

With that history in mind, it’s going to be a tall test for P.J. Fleck to lead Minnesota to a win over Ohio State in the Big Ten season opener on Thursday night. The Golden Gophers have more of a chance than they usually do in this game though. They are hosting the Buckeyes, and Ohio State has more questions than we have seen in the last few seasons.

C.J. Stroud has never thrown a pass in his collegiate career. Although we have heard all the right things about Stroud out of Ohio State’s camp, there’s a big difference between what happens in practice and what happens against a real opponent. He is likely to be a little shaky with his first start in a hostile environment.

Fortunately, he has a lot of help around him at the skill positions. Master Teague III is ready to take over as the No. 1 running back after being the primary back-up behind Trey Sermon and J.K. Dobbins the last two seasons. Additionally, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are two of the best receivers in the Big Ten and both players earned all-conference accolades in 2020.

Minnesota’s offense has lost two elite receivers in the past two years with Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman in the NFL. Still, the Golden Gophers’ passing game should be in decent shape with Chris Autman-Bell as the primary target. Autman-Bell averaged 19.5 YPC in 2020, and Tanner Morgan will look his way often. Morgan must be more accurate than he was last year if the Golden Gophers are going to pull off the upset though.

Mohamed Ibrahim ran for at least 100 yards in every game in 2020. Ibrahim was the best running back in the Big Ten, and Minnesota will want to establish the run as much as possible. Of course, that’s easier said than done against Ohio State.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Best Bets

Minnesota +14
Under 63.5

Minnesota has covered the spread in three straight games when facing Ohio State. (AP)

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Game Odds

Ohio State -700
Minnesota +500
Ohio State (-14) -110
Minnesota (+14) -110
Over 63.5 -110
Under 63.5 -110

Odds per BetMGM - Subject to Change

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Resources

Venue: TCF Bank Stadium
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV-Time: FOX - 8:00 p.m. ET

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Analysis

The best bet to make in this game is on the UNDER. Ohio State’s offense is likely to sputter early, and Minnesota’s offense probably won’t have much success against this defense. Morgan did not look like he could do it on his own in 2020, so the Golden Gophers will lean heavily on Ibrahim.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends

Ohio State has won three straight games when facing Minnesota.
Minnesota has covered the spread in three straight games when facing Ohio State.
The point total has gone UNDER in three straight games played between both schools.
Ohio State has covered the spread in eight straight games when facing a non-AP-ranked school in September.
Ohio State has gone OVER the point total in 11 of its last 12 road games when facing a non-AP-ranked school.