THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
Run support
When the Buckeyes last broke in a first-time starting quarterback in Justin Fields in their season opener in 2019, they leaned on their running backs to ease in the inexperienced passer. About 65% of the play calls in the 45-21 win over Florida Atlantic were run plays. A similar script could aid C.J. Stroud, the redshirt freshman who is replacing Fields. While he has no shortage of receiving threats, led by the pass-catching tandem of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, a successful ground game would help the acclimation.
Secondary progress
It’s no secret Ohio State’s secondary had issues in 2020, ranking 122nd out of 127 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in pass defense while giving up average of 304 yards allowed per game. Coaches and players believe they are deeper in the back end of their defense entering this season, one of the foremost reasons they expect to be better. If not, Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan is good enough to take advantage. Though he regressed last fall, Morgan was the second-most efficient passer in the Big Ten in 2019, while also leading the league in yards per attempt (10.2).
Fan factor
After a season playing in empty stadiums, the Buckeyes are confronting a more hostile atmosphere in Minneapolis. Officials anticipate a sellout crowd at Huntington Bank Stadium with coronavirus pandemic capacity restrictions lifted. Could it cause some nerves for Ohio State? It shouldn’t be discounted. Its roster includes nearly 50 scholarship players who are in their first or second seasons, meaning they have not played a game in college in front of spectators.
Key matchup Running back Mohamed Ibrahim vs. Ohio State front seven
Ibrahim is the leading returning rusher in the FBS and was named the Big Ten’s running back of the year as a junior. In seven games, he ran for 1,076 yards and 15 touchdowns. It could be a challenge for Ohio State, which has a new starting linebacker corps, to get a handle on him. But the Buckeyes have often fared well against even the Big Ten’s best running back. During their regular-season win over Wisconsin in 2019, they held Jonathan Taylor to 52 rushing yards on 20 carries.
Key Stat
11: Ohio State has won 11 consecutive games over Minnesota since a 29-17 loss to the Gophers suffered in John Cooper’s final season in 2000. It’s the Buckeyes’ second-longest active winning streak against a Big Ten school behind only a 26-game winning streak versus Indiana.
Joey Kaufman jkaufman@dispatch.com @joeyrkaufman