The Minnesota Golden Gophers will face the Ohio State Buckeyes in Big Ten play on Saturday night. The Buckeyes are ranked number one in the country and will try to stay undefeated against a 3-1 Gophers team. Will Ohio State stay unbeaten and keep the top spot in the rankings? Continue reading to find my Minnesota vs Ohio State prediction below.
Our Minnesota vs Ohio State Pick
- Pick: Ohio State -23.5
- Confidence: 4/5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Ohio State Buckeyes
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 7:30 PM ET
- Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
- Broadcast: NBC/Peacock
Minnesota vs Ohio State Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|
| OSU -23.5 | OSU -2500 / MIN +1100 | 42.5 |
Key Storylines
- Ohio State’s Dominance: The Buckeyes have been impressive this season. They have a 4-0 record and are coming off a 24-6 road victory over Washington on September 27. Their defense has been particularly strong, allowing under 10 points in each of their first four games.
- Minnesota’s Resilience: The Golden Gophers are 3-1, coming off a thrilling 31-28 win over Rutgers. Quarterback Drake Lindsey has been a standout for Minnesota. He threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns in the comeback victory over the Scarlet Knights.
- High Stakes for Both Teams: This game is crucial for both teams’ aspirations in the Big Ten and potential playoff considerations. A win here would bolster either team’s position in the Big Ten standings. Needless to say, it is Ohio State that is expected to get that win and Minnesota that is expected to come back to Earth a bit in this game.
Quarterback Play
Drake Lindsey (Minnesota): Lindsey has shown promise for the Golden Gophers so far this season. He has seven touchdown passes and two interceptions. Keeping the ball out of the hands of Ohio State defenders will be his number one priority in this matchup.
Julian Sayin (Ohio State): The Buckeyes’ quarterback has been efficient in his first year leading this offense. He has completed 78.8% of his passes and is taking full advantage of the talented receiving corps he has to work with.
Betting Trends & H2H
- Ohio State’s Recent Form: The Buckeyes have been dominant, covering the spread in their first four games. They have had three of their first four games stay under their totals.
- Minnesota’s Performance: The Golden Gophers are 3-1 straight up this season. But they are 1-3 against the spread. Minnesota is 2-1-1 on over/unders for the year.
- Head-to-Head: Ohio State has won the last five meetings between these two teams, with an average margin of victory of 18 points.
Minnesota vs Ohio State Model Projection
- Score Projection: Ohio State 38 – Minnesota 14
- Win Probability: Ohio State 85%, Minnesota 15%
Final Thoughts
My expectation for this matchup in the Big Ten is for Ohio State to win handily at home on Saturday night. The Buckeyes’ defense has allowed 22 total points through four games this season. They should hold Minnesota to a low number on the scoreboard, to where a score in the 30s should be enough for the Buckeyes to cover the spread.
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