Hi Gopher fan here. The Gophers only gave up 142 total yards so the stat you posted I would think could easily be true. But we were playing against the worst QB I've ever seen come to TCF Stadium and I say that seriously. About us, our offense has been very disappointing while the defense has been elite. The Gophers last year held both TCU and Ohio State to their lowest point totals of the season and they've been even better so far this year. Held TCU to 23 points week 1 and they've scored 70 and 56 the 2 weeks since. But it's hard to put into words just how pathetic our offense has been. 10 points at home vs Kent State is just embarrassing. If your D continues to shut down our offense you can certainly win the game. Before the season started I penciled this one in as a win but after our first 3 games I can't be too confident against anyone including the Sisters of the Poor.

I see some posts that border on lunacy. This is the kind of game we should be playing in hoops and football. A mid level high major team on the road. This is a winnable game.

This will likely be very similar to the game we just played against an FCS team. It will be close for awhile but the final score will be 35-10 or something with Minnesota pulling away via several big plays in the second half. Our offense is not good. And our D can only hold up so long.

I'm sure it was far from Minnesota's best effort, but if Kent State can hang in to the end, Ohio should be able to do that at the very least. The Golden Flashes gave up 52 points to Illinois. I'm pretty sure the Bobcats have a better defense.

I know everyone is down on Ohio's offense, but it has averaged 34 points per game. And it is a reasonable concern that Ohio's defense might eventually wear down if the offense doesn't keep it off the field, but it seems like that could be an issue both ways with two teams that have superior defenses going against less-than-stellar offenses. Minnesota should have an edge but barring huge turnovers or plays I think it will be a game until the end.

The Gophers O-line is so banged up that we're pulling a redshirt off a true freshman this week for more depth. Christenson and Lauer are 2 starters who I know are still out and a couple others, Campion and Pirsig are playing out of their typical position as well. A red-shirt freshman is currently starting as well.

Yep you're right I forgot about the TE's. Our top 2 are both out probably for the year.

I am a gopher fan and it is prpropsterous to think Ohio doesn't have a very good chance to win this game. Our defense is very very good but don't kid yourselves this is a coin flip.

I agree in part, and disagree in part. I do agree that Minnesota has the better chance, probably an 80-90% chance, especially since it's at home for them. The part where I disagree is that that your thoughts are Gopher-centric, only taking into account how Minnesota will play, and not considering how Ohio will play.

I don't doubt that Minnesota will be focused this week, and will play better. What you miss is that the converse is also true. The Bobcats have an excellent defense, perhaps the best one that Burrow has had at Ohio, and they are not pleased at having given up 14 points to Southeastern Louisiana. I look for them to be very focused, and to play much better this week, more along the lines of how they played against Marshall.

As for Ohio's offense, the same holds true for the Ohio Offensive line and running backs. They were not pleased with their performance against Southeastern Louisiana, and I also look for them to play better this week.

In the end I look for both teams to play significantly better this week than either played last week. Whoever wins will have to win it because neither team is going to give it away. I am expecting a very, very physical game on both sides of the ball, and I'm not expecting a lot of points from either team.

I would add one other thing. No one here will hold your close win against Kent State against you. Kent State, especially their defense, always seems to play mysteriously well againt Ohio, and mysteriously badly against everyone else, so we can certainly sympathize. Our recent games against them:
2014 Ohio 17, Kent 14 (FG at the very end wins it)
2013 Kent St 44, Ohio 13
2012 Kent St 28, Ohio 6
2011 Ohio 17, Kent St 10
2010 Kent St 28, Ohio 6
2009 Kent St 20, Ohio 11
Ohio was bowl eligible all of these 6 years. Kent State was only once, in 2012, yet in these 6 years Ohio averaged 11.6 points, and never exceeded 17.

Not trying to compare Southeastern Louisiana to Minnesota, but if I recall correctly, SLU's defensive secondary consisted of 3 former LSU players, a kid from Tulane and I believe the other was a transfer from Utah. All told, I believe 11 of their starters were transfers from P5 Programs. However, those facts and $1.50 will get you a coffee at Denny's.

I have thought about it, and I think the key to an Ohio win could be Vick's feet. When a QB can run for some yards, whether on options, QB keepers, option passes, or scrambles for yards, it can be disruptive for a sound but aggressive defense, and it can force them to play contain, rather than attacking. That's kind of what SLU did to Ohio last weekend. After the SLU QB started gaining yards on the ground, Ohio's defense backed off a little, and opened up a bit more room for SLU's offense.


If Vick can gain some yards on the ground, it could keep the Minnesota defense off balance a little, and open more running room, which in turn will open the play action passes. We haven't seen Vick running with the ball much this year. He has only 22 carries for 30 yards. With Sprague out, and with his recent injuries, they may be reluctant to call Vick's number, and for good reason. Still, if the opportunity occurs for him to take off, I hope he does.

Arkley's injury update shows Windham as probable, but having a knee injury, so that's another reason not to have Vick take off too much.

L.C., It looks like its going to go off at 7.5. :)