NCAAF Picks: The most underrated and overlooked team in college football is the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Head coach Jerry Kill has developed a team that plays an old school fundamental style of football which has made them a perennial bowl contender and a first place team in the Big Ten West Division. The Ohio State Buckeyes flexed their muscles last week in a powerfully impressive 49-37 win at Michigan State but cannot afford a letdown this week.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers will host the Ohio State Buckeyes at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday with coverage on ABC starting at noon ET. Ohio State opened as a 13 point favorite.
Value Bucks Up for OSU
Ohio State is 8-1 straight up, 7-2 against the spread, and 8-1 over the total. Ohio State is in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten East Division. The Buckeyes rank fourth in the nation for scoring offense and 17th for total defense. Backup QB J.T. Barrett has turned into an asset in place of the injured Braxton Miller with a 26-7 TD-INT ratio and 9.3 yards per pass. Tailback Ezekiel Elliott is averaging 5.8 yards per carry with Barrett as the second leading ball carrier at 4.9 yards per carry.
Gophers look Golden
Minnesota is 7-2 SU, 5-4 ATS, and 4-5 under the total. Minnesota is coming off 51-14 waxing of Iowa as 1.5 point home dogs in a game in which the wrong team was favored. The Gophers rank 21st in the nation for total defense but offense is an issue. Although the Gophers rank 28th overall in the nation for rushing offense they rank 99th overall for total offense. RB David Cobb has rushed for 1205 yards and 5.3 yards per carry.
Matchup and Pick
Minnesota has been a solid home betting value with 12 payouts in their last 20 home match-ups with six out of their last eight home games going under the total.
Ohio State has paid out in 11 out of their last 17 away games with five out of their last six road match-ups going over the total.
Ohio State has dominated the cashier’s cage at Minnesota with five payouts in their last six visits. Three out of the last four meetings between the Gophers and Buckeyes at Minnesota have gone over the total.
Ohio State is rolling and head coach Urban Meyer will not allow any let up with a Final Four playoff appearance at stake. The Bucks must win big from here on out and make weekly statements. We’ll call for Ohio State and over the total.
