Ohio State owns nine straight wins in the “rivalry” with Minnesota, but the Gophers are 3-2 against the spread over the last five meetings and gave the eventual national champions a good battle last season. The Buckeyes shoot for a 9-0 start when they host Minnesota at the Horseshoe Saturday night. Point spread: Buckeyes opened as 23-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report) College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 41.0-20.6 Buckeyes Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers can cover the spread The Gophers showed well in their first game after losing head coach Jerry Kill to retirement last week, coming within about a foot of upsetting Michigan, losing 29-26. Trailing by a field goal late, Minnesota drove to the Wolverines’ 1-yard line, but poor clock management and an unimaginative call on the last play of the game resulted in disappointment. On the day, Minnesota outgained Michigan 461-296 and covered as a 10-point home dog. Two weeks ago the Gophers lost to Nebraska 48-25, but that game was closer than the score might indicate. And just before that Minnesota beat Purdue 41-13. If the Gophers could generate a run game this week and avoid turning the ball over, they could keep this one close. Why the Ohio State Buckeyes can cover the spread OSU is 8-0 on the season and still favored to repeat as national champions following a 49-7 victory at Rutgers two weeks ago. The Buckeyes then had last week off. Ohio State only led the Scarlet Knights 7-0 well into the second quarter and 21-0 at the half, then scored four more unanswered touchdowns and held Rutgers off the board until just 13 seconds remained in the game. …
Continue Reading: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Odds, Football Pick
