Scarlet Sunrise: Ohio State set for Senior Day, home finale against Minnesota

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Ohio State vs. Minnesota: Game time, details

Ohio State leads the all-time series against Minnesota, 47-7. The Buckeyes have not only won 12 in a row versus the Golden Gophers, but they’ve also won 27 of the last 28 meetings. Their lone loss in that span came in 2000 when Minnesota bested an Ohio State team that finished the year just 8-4 on the outside looking in of the final AP Top 25 poll.

The Buckeyes and Gophers opened the 2021 season against each other. That’s when quarterback C.J. Stroud made his first career start. He struggled initially but ultimately led Ohio State to a 35-point second half and a 45-31 road win. Minnesota, though, was up 21-17 in the third quarter, in large part thanks to running back Mohamed Ibrahim, who finished with 163 yards and two touchdowns in that game. Stroud bounced back to toss four scores, including two in the final frame.

• Time: 4 p.m. E.T.
• TV Channel: Big Ten Network
• Date: Saturday, Nov. 18
• Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
• Weather: At kickoff, 50º, 0% chance of rain, winds 7 mph
• The line: Ohio State is a 27.5-point favorite, per FanDuel.
• Over/under: 49.5 points

Series fun fact

Ohio State and Minnesota first met in 1921. The programs faced off twice in the ’20s, and both games resulted in shutouts. First the Buckeyes blanked the Gophers, 27-0, in Columbus. And then, the following year, Minnesota got back at Ohio State, 9-0, in Minneapolis. It wasn’t until 1931, when the teams squared off for the third time, that both the Buckeyes and Gophers got on the board in the same game — Minnesota won that contest, also in Minneapolis, 19-7. Of the Gophers’ seven wins in the series, four took place before 1950.

Remember: It’s Senior Day…

Ohio State is set to honor 21 seniors Saturday prior to kickoff.

But just because a player walks on Senior Day doesn’t mean their Buckeyes career is over. Ohio State offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Brian Hartline emphasized that distinction when he was asked this week if senior wideout Julian Fleming would be participating in the day’s festivities.

“Anyone that’s capable of leaving is going to walk,” Hartline said. “You don’t want to be in a position and don’t walk and then decide to leave. So I’d rather you walk twice than never walk at all.”

2023 Ohio State Football Senior Day Honorees

Medically retired

OL Grant Toutant

Out of eligibility

QB Tristan Gebbia
SAF Josh Proctor
OL Matthew Jones
WR Xavier Johnson

One year of eligibility remaining

K Parker Lewis
TE Cade Stover
LB Tommy Eichenberg
LB Steele Chambers
OL Quinton Burke
LB Cody Simon
DL Jaden McKenzie

Two years of eligibility remaining

RB Miyan Williams
WR Julian Fleming
SAF Lathan Ransom
QB Chad Ray
DB Andrew Moore
TE Patrick Gurd
OL Trey Leroux
OL Jack Forsman
DB Cameron Kittle

Ohio State vs. Minnesota gambling notes, trends

• The Buckeyes are 6-3-1 against the spread this season. The Buckeyes covered the number last week against Michigan State despite scoring just 38 points.
• Ohio State is 1-2 against the spread the week before the Michigan game under Ryan Day
• The Buckeyes have went over the total just twice in their nine games this season
• Minnesota is 3-8 against the number in its last 11 games
• Minnesota is 2-6 against the number in its last eight road games
• The total has gone over in five of the last seven Minnesota games
• Ohio State is 1-9 against the spread in its last 10 games played in Week 12

Bold predictions for Buckeyes against Minnesota

The Lettermen Row staff thinks Ohio State will take care of Minnesota in the Horseshoe. But the crew went deeper than its score picks to make bold predictions about what will happen in the Buckeyes’ Week 12 showdown.

READ: Bold Predictions as Buckeyes close out home slate against Minnesota

Stick with Lettermen Row for wall-to-wall game-day coverage

Lettermen Row will be on site for comprehensive coverage of the last Ohio State home game, as the Buckeyes host Minnesota in Columbus Saturday evening. Follow along on X, Instagram and YouTube for experienced coverage.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Minnesota: 0 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 7 days

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