CFN Likes The Gophers - Mostly

Iceland12

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The Bobcats have flown under the radar a bit, but they stunned a Marshall team that stunned Purdue with a 21-10 win on the way to a 3-0 star. Beat the Gophers, and all of a sudden this gets interesting with Akron and Miami University two winnable games up next.

Minnesota is 2-1, as expected, but it could really easily be 0-3 right now after needing overtime to get by Colorado State and playing really, really poorly in a 10-7 win over Kent State. With road games at Northwestern and Purdue to start out the Big Ten season, the Gophers need to find their scoring punch in a big hurry.

Why Ohio Will Win

Minnesota can’t score. The Gophers were supposed to struggle against TCU, but they needed a desperation drive and a few key moments to get by Colorado State, and couldn’t do anything against Kent State. The biggest problem is in the red zone, scoring just 4-of-8 times inside the 20. This isn’t the typical Minnesota team. The running game isn’t there, the physical play isn’t happening, and there are way too many penalties. However …

Why Minnesota Will Win

Ohio is having a huge problem getting flagged. It hasn’t been costly so far, but with 30 sins on the year for close to 100 yards per game, it’s having a hard time shooting itself in the foot. The Bobcat offense has been sharp and strong so far, but it hasn’t faced a defense like Minnesota’s – the secondary is playing up to its preseason billing. The Gophers are only giving up 4.4 yards per pass so far.

Player Who Matters

Is Rodney Smith the next big thing running back for the Gophers? The 5-11, 200-pound redshirt freshman is a tough, quick runner who’s only running for 4.8 yards per carry, but is a workhorse with 30 carries against Kent State for a tough 73 yards. He took off for 158 yards against Colorado State, and now he’s going to get more and more work until the rest of the offense can find more playmakers.

What’s Going To Happen?

Ohio’s offense will make this a fight, but the Gopher defense will clamp down in the second half to come up with yet another ugly, tough win that’s not going to inspire any confidence. Ohio will have its chances to win, and won’t be able to do it.

Ohio vs. Minnesota Score Prediction

Final Score: Minnesota 20, Ohio 17, Line: Minnesota -10.5, o/u: 47.5

Must See Rating: 5: 99 Homes – 1: The Intern … 3


http://collegefootballnews.com/2015/ohio-vs-minnesota-preview-fearless-prediction
 





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