The Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-3) visit Columbus, Ohio to take on the heavily favored Ohio State Buckeyes (5-2). Bodog Sportsbook lists the Buckeyes as -16.5 favorites. The Ohio State Buckeyes were stunned with a 18-26 loss to Purdue last week. Minnesota was shutout 0-20 against Penn St last week.

Ohio State is averaging 28 points per game, and the Gophers are scoring 23.1 points. Defensively, the Buckeyes are only allowing 14 points a game, and Minnesota is allowing 23.3 PPG. My mathmatical prediction would make this game Ohio State 24 Minnesota 17. For Ohio State to cover the spread, their +3 turnover ratio in favor of Minnesota’s -1 turn over ratio will need to be a factor. Along with a big play on special teams. Can Ohio State bounce back as -16.5 point favorites at home against Minnesota?

Ohio States QB Terrelle Pryor struggled last week, and has yet to establish an identity with the Ohio State offense. Minnesota’s 92 ranked defense might be what Pryor needs to bounce back. The Gophers star wide out WR Eric Decker may be the best receiver in the conference and his presence could be the spread breaker for Ohio State.

The Gophers only lost by 3 to the Badgers and beat Purdue 35-20, so in the eyes of the Buckeyes alumni, this 16.5 point spread might not be that easy. Can the Gophers stay within 16.5 as +16.5 point road dogs?

Notable Stats Minnesota is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games on the road.
- The road team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings

Prediction: Buckeyes win and Pryor still struggles get +14 Minnesota