Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

I think the Gophs match up pretty well. Their defense wasn't good last year, but they return some guys, and OSU will be trying to figure things out. Their offense is fairly stacked - QB, RB, and OL pretty strong, though the receivers are a question mark. I hear the starters have been banged up, not sure who they will roll out there with or how good they are.

don't summon the karma

That's okay. 

It's also my fault that Michigan isn't at OSU's level, because I don't root for them to win all of their games when they aren't playing OSU. 

I have Godlike CFB powers, apparently. 

This is a bit of an odd series.  For one thing the two teams have only played 53 times despite Minnesota being a Charter Member of what became the B1G and Ohio State joining well over 100 years ago.  Unfortunately for the Gophers these two teams didn't play much at all back in Minnesota's glory days.  They didn't play at all before tOSU joined the league and even after tOSU joined it took almost a decade before the first meeting.  They played:

• Twice in the 1920's, 1-1
• Twice in the 1930's, 1-1
• Five times in the 1940's, 3-2 tOSU
• Once in the 1950's, tOSU
• Three times in the 1960's, tOSU 2-1

Up through 1969 the Buckeyes had a modest 8-5 lead.  They played annually from 1969-1992 with Ohio State dominating 23-1 (average score of 33-13).  Minnesota won in 1966 and since then they are 2-39 (average score of 34-13).  The Minnesota wins came in 1981 and 2000.  

I look for two strong offensive lines, to try to dominate the opposing defense. Minnesota will run the ball, almost exclusively, unless forced to pass by down situations. When Ohio State has the ball, they have a lot more options, having a talented running back room, as well as a heralded receiver room. I think JC Stroud will be a pleasant revelation, instead of something to worry about, due to lack of experience, and Buckeye fans will feel great heading into the Oregon weekend. It’s good this is the first game of the season, rather than playing on short practice on a Thursday, later in the season. The Buckeyes have been pointing to this game, during Fall camp, and practice, so they will be prepared. More and more, this game is about recruiting, and Ohio State has too great a talent differential, to lose to Minnesota, unless drastic problems occur.

look out for canoe paddles