A Big Ten game in Ohio Stadium at night. What a glorious idea.
For the first time since Nov. 11, 2023, Ohio State will host a Big Ten opponent in primetime, as Minnesota and the Buckeyes are set to kick off at 7:30 p.m.
Returning home after a trip out west, OSU will host P.J. Fleck and the Golden Gophers, who are 3-1 on the season after beating Rutgers last weekend to open their conference schedule.
Ohio State appears to be ready for the game under the lights in The Shoe, as the top-ranked Buckeyes look to dominate yet another opponent.
GAMEDAY
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 4, 2025
GAMEDAY
GAMEDAY
GAMEDAY
GAMEDAY
GAMEDAY
GAMEDAY
GAMEDAY pic.twitter.com/LfJvfPCXGS
See you tonight #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/bN21MEh2Vx
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) October 4, 2025
If you're on campus Saturday afternoon, be sure to check out Eleven Dubgate 13, which starts at 4 p.m. and will take place behind the Varsity Club. Every dollar raised goes to Special Olympics Olentangy, which provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
As the Buckeyes prepare to take on Minnesota, the Eleven Warriors staff is confident Ohio State will take care of business agaisnt the Golden Gophers and remained undefeated.
Score Predictions
Andy Anders - Ohio State 38, Minnesota 0: Ohio State opens up the passing game more, but stays methodical on offense as the defense pitches its second shutout of the season while confusing the bejeesus out of a young Drake Lindsey.
Chase Brown - Ohio State 42, Minnesota 7: Seven points feels like too many points for this Minnesota offense, which rushed for just 35 yards against Rutgers last week, but the Gophers are a well-coached Big Ten opponent who I could see playing hard for all four quarters and perhaps scoring a late touchdown after Ohio State’s stars have exited the game.
George Eisner - Ohio State 35, Minnesota 7: Ryan Day keeps things simple and continues to lean on the defense ahead of a stiffer test on the road against Illinois next week. Cal had much more success passing than rushing the ball when the Bears took down the Gophers in the battle of Golden animals, so look for the Buckeyes to rely on Sayin’s arm in building an early lead.
Jack Emerson - Ohio State 35, Minnesota 13: Ohio State continues its offensive growth under the lights against Minnesota while the defense continues its dominant start to the season.
Matt Gutridge - Ohio State 38, Minnesota 10: This will be the seventh time Ohio State has faced Minnesota when the Buckeyes are ranked No. 1 in the country. Six of the seven games have been played in Columbus, with Ohio State winning the first five games by an average score of 39-7.
Dan Hope - Ohio State 45, Minnesota 7: Ryan Day’s first comments about Minnesota this week described the Gophers as a “well-coached” team that will “give us everything they have.” Translation: Ohio State knows this is a team it’s supposed to beat easily. I expect the Buckeyes to be more aggressive offensively as they look to put on a show for their fans in their likely final home night game of the season.
Kyle Jones - Ohio State 35, Minnesota 7: The Gophers have really struggled to run the ball this season, and a one-dimensional offense isn’t going to work against this Buckeye defense. Buckeyes cover easily.
Chris Lauderback - Ohio State 35, Minnesota 9: The Buckeyes easily handle Minnesota's overrated (No. 5 nationally) rush defense, posting over 225 yards and 6+ yards per carry while Julian Sayin tosses two touchdowns against one Koi Perich interception as OSU stays undefeated on Dubgate Saturdays.
Ramzy Nasrallah - Ohio State 38, Minnesota 6: The Eleven Dubgate stays undefeated.
Josh Poloha - Ohio State 38, Minnesota 6: A home Big Ten night game for the Buckeyes!? OSU takes care of business and the defense doesn't allow a touchdown yet again.
Jason Priestas - Ohio State 37, Minnesota 6: The stars show up at night as Sayin, Smith, Downs, Reese, and the rest of the crew put on a show and continue to make their case for the best defense – and most complete team in the nation.
Jordan Raines - Ohio State 38, Minnesota 6: The Buckeyes' offense finds little resistance, moving the ball at will and finishing drives efficiently. On the other side of the ball, the defense suffocates Minnesota’s offense, extending its run of dominance. Ohio State cruises to a comfortable win over an outmatched Gophers team.
Will Ohio State Cover?
The Buckeyes opened as 23.5-point favorites on most sportsbooks, and that's exactly where it is on gameday.
With that in mind, all but one member of the Eleven Warriors staff believes Ohio State will cover the spread in a win over the Golden Gophers Saturday night, as Jack Emerson believes the Buckeyes will just barely not cover.
Ohio State is 3-1 against the spread this season, as the Buckeyes were unable to cover against Ohio, missing the number by a half-point.
What Above the Over/Under?
After the over/under opened at 46.5, it has since dropped to 42.5 ahead of the primetime matchup in Columbus.
The majority of the 11W staff believes the total will hit the over, while Andy Anders and George Eisner don't think Ohio State and Minnesota will not reach hit that total.
All but one of Ohio State's games have gone under the total this season, with the 70-0 shutout win over Grambling State being the only Buckeyes' game that hit the over.
Eleven Warriors Prop Bets
Wondering how sportsbooks envision various player performances shaking out in this in-state showdown? Take a look at some of our in-house prop betting lines ahead of tonight's game for some insight into how the betting public expects individuals to stuff the stat sheet. Leave your predictions for us in the comments!
How many passing touchdowns will Julian Sayin have?
- Over 2.5 (-150)
- Under 2.5 (+120)
How many rushing touchdowns will Ohio State have?
- Over 2.5 (-140)
- Under 2.5 (+110)
How many touchdowns will Jeremiah Smith have?
- Over 1.5 (-110)
- Under 1.5 (-110)
How many points will Minnesota score?
- Over 7.5 (-110)
- Under 7.5 (-110)
