Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Picks and Prediction for Saturday, October 4, 2025
Use Code SSWC Checking out the Big Ten on Saturday, we are dropping our Minnesota vs. Ohio State predictions and breaking down both sides so that you have all the info needed to make the best plays for the day. The Golden Gophers (3-1 SU, 1-3 ATS) were winners in their conference opener last week, 31-28 over Rutgers as -4 favorites at home. The top-ranked Buckeyes (4-0 SU, 3-0-1 ATS) also picked up their first Big Ten win of the season last weekend, 24-6 over Washington as -9.5 favorites on the road. Kickoff from Ohio Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 EST and grab all our NCAAF Betting Picks to increase your bankroll!
Minnesota starts conference play in the positive
Following a loss in their first road game of the season, the Golden Gophers returned home and bounced back with a win in their Big Ten opener. They trailed by 14 points in the second quarter against Rutgers before outscoring them, 17-7 in the second half. The offense went for 362 yards and 20 first downs while defensively, they gave up 29 first downs and 393 yards.
Through four games, the Minnesota scoring offense ranks 50th in the country, averaging 33.5 points per game and their 405.3 total yards each week rank ninth among Big Ten offenses. The passing game averages 8.4 yards per catch and 261.3 yards per game. Drake Lindsey went 31-41 for 324 yards and three touchdowns in last weekend’s victory. The freshman QB has completed 65.8% of his passes for 958 yards, 7 TDs and 2 INTs. His top target has been Le'Meke Brockington with 15 catches for 177 yards and a touchdown. Javon Tracy has 12 catches for 204 yards and 2 TDs. The Gophers’ rushing attack is averaging 144 yards per game and four yards per carry. Three backs have over 100 yards rushing, with Femi Ijeboi leading the team with 173 yards on 35 carries. Minnesota’s offensive line has allowed seven sacks.
Coming into this weekend, the Gophers’ defense has allowed 16.3 points and 230 total yards per game. They have the second-best rushing defense in the Big Ten and fifth-best in the country, allowing 65.5 yards per game. Against the pass, they are giving up 164.5 yards per game, seventh best in the Big Ten. They’ve gotten to the opposing QB for 14 sacks, and they average 3.5 sacks per game, the sixth-best mark in the nation. Anthony Smith is third in the Big Ten with 4.5 sacks and has at least a half a sack in each game this season. John Nestor has a team-high three pass deflections and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
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Team notes
- The Gophers are 13th in the nation in time of possession, averaging 33:38 per game.
- Darius Taylor is 54 yards shy of becoming the 18th Gopher to rush for 2,000 career yards. He has missed the last two games due to injury and is questionable for this game.
- They are seventh in the country in kickoff return defense, allowing an average of 11.4 yards per return.
- Drake Lindsey was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after his performance versus Rutgers.
Ohio State steady and sturdy
Though they haven’t been dominating most of their opponents, the Buckeyes are taking care of business and remain the No. 1 team in the country after winning their first four games by an average of 30.8 points per game, elevated by their 70-0 win over Grambling. Versus Washington, the Ohio State offense went for 357 yards and 23 first downs while the defense held the Huskies to 15 first downs and 234 total yards.
Ohio State’s offense ranks eighth in the Big Ten with 36.3 points and sixth with 445.8 total yards per game. Their passing attack ranks seventh in the conference with an average of 264.5 yards per game. Julian Sayin threw for 208 yards and 2 TDs in last weekend’s win at Washington. The sophomore QB had a 78.8% completion rate, best in the nation, and has thrown for 987 yards, 10 TDs and 3 INTs. He’s connected with Jeremiah Smith on 28 passes for 296 yards and 4 TDs. The Buckeyes’ average of 181.3 yards per game on the ground, sixth best in the Big Ten. Bo Jackson averages 8.5 yards per carry and is leading the team with 297 rushing yards. The line has allowed only two sacks and five tackles-for-loss.
The Buckeyes boast the top scoring defense in the land, allowing only 5.5 points per game. They’ve allowed 229.3 total yards and the 132 passing yards per game allowed is the eighth-best mark in the nation. They are eighth in the Big Ten against the rush, giving up 97.3 yards per game. Ohio State’s defense has recorded 13 sacks and picked off two passes. Caden Curry is tied for the Big Ten lead with five sacks and tied for the team lead with 25 tackles. Avrell Reese also has 25 tackles, with two sacks and two pass deflections.
Team notes
- Owns the best red zone defense in the country, holding opponents to just two field goals in seven trips in.
- Caden Curry earned Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors after last week’s effort against Washington.
- Jackson is the first Buckeye to rush for 100+ yards in his first two games.
- CJ Donaldson has rushed for 4 TDs, none over four yards.
Minnesota vs. Ohio State Picks
Spread Pick for Minnesota vs. Ohio State
- Ohio State -23.5 (5 units)
The Buckeyes own a 47-7 SU advantage in the head-to-head series between the programs. Ohio State’s running game will have their toughest test against the Minnesota defense. However, they are more than okay grinding out a few yards at a time, and they have the horses to do so. They should be able to use the run game enough to set up the passing attack. The Gophers are going to throw the kitchen sink at the Buckeyes and try to put pressure in their backfield, but Sayin is a very poised passer in the pocket and his line has done well to keep him protected. On the other sideline, Lindsey is just a freshman playing in one of the most hostile environments in the game. He’s going to have some issues with the crowd alone, but is also up against one of the best passing defenses in the nation. Ohio State is 10-0 SU in their last ten games versus Minnesota and 4-3 ATS in their last seven meetings.
Take the Buckeyes giving the points at home.
Over/Under Pick for Minnesota vs. Ohio State
- Over 44.5 (5 units)
These two last met in 2023 and combined for 40 points against a 51.5-point total. The Buckeyes scored only 14 points in their season opener but that came against then No. 1 Texas. Since then, they’ve averaged 43.6 points per game. Returning home after scoring just 24 points at Washington last week, I’m expecting a big offensive push by Ohio State. Minnesota has scored 23 points or more in three of their four games and had 31 in their Big Ten opener last week. This will be by far the toughest defense they’ve faced, so there will be issues with the Gophers moving the ball, but if they can light up the scoreboard a couple of times, I think Ohio State can handle the rest. The under is 4-1 in the last five games between these two, but they also averaged a combined 51.4 points per game in that stretch.
Take the over.
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