Ohio St. -19: First off, Minnesota was 1-11 last season, but, so far this season under their new coach Tim Brewster, they have looked like a much improved team with a 4-0 start to the season. This will be their first test though against a Big 10 caliber team, and they have a horrible history in Columbus, going 1-17 lifetime there. In their last 17 Big 10 road openers, Minnesota is also just a 2-15.....Minnesota comes in averaging 36.3 PPG on just over 400 yards of offense per game. Ohio St. has allowed just 14.8 PPG on 247.8 YPG. Minnesota has had a lot of success rushing the ball, averaging 162 yards per game, but OSU has given up under 100 yards per game on the ground so this may be the stat that defines today's game and force QB Adam Weber (another guy off to a great start with a 71.8%, 967 yards passing, 7 TD, 1 INT) to make plays in the passing game. Last season, Weber did throw 19 INT's, and OSU does have 7 INT's already this season, and allowing a much lower 57% completion percentage. As long as OSU is able to shut down the rushing game, they have shown the ability to create turnovers. OSU is 13-2 in their last 15 Big 10 openers and have won their last three by an average of 33 points per game. They are averaging only 25 PPG, but finally got their offense going in the 2nd half against Troy, and finally have some consistentcy with Pryor now at QB, and RB Beanie Wells back today as well. His ability to break big plays should be a great help to Pryor's development as well. OSU does average about 163 rushing yards per game, and Minnesota gives up about 109....Minnesota allows 17.5 PPG, but like I mentioned, they have played weak competition, and if they over compensate on Pryor or Wells, the other is capable of making big plays. Another big plus for OSU's offense is Minnesota's lack of pass rush with just 3 sacks this season. Teams with a rush can bother the OSU offense, but I expect Pryor will have all the time he needs today....OSU is 22-7 ATS in Big 10 play the past few seasons, and although they are 0-3 ATS this season, I think Minnesota's younger team, while improving, is walking into a tough place to play against a team that finally is showing signs of offensive life. Ohio St. wins big today.
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