Ohio State vs. Minnesota 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds and Preview

By Carlos Chacon • August 31, 2021

Despite a bit of controversy surrounding the Ohio State Buckeyes’ eligibility to compete for the national title in last year’s shortened season, there’s no denying that Ryan Day and the boys from Columbus was and remains a collegiate powerhouse to reckon with. The Buckeyes’ first game of the 2021 season will be on the road as they take on Big Ten rivals the Minnesota Gophers, who had a mediocre 2020 campaign.

NitroBetting is ready to equip its bettors with all the latest previews and odds for Week 1 of the 2021 college football season. This time, we look at the season-opening matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Find out more about the teams and the key players, event information, the latest NCAAF odds, and of course, helpful betting trends and expert betting predictions. Don’t forget to check out the latest 2021 College Football odds at out online Bitcoin sportsbook.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Game Information

Ready. Set. Go.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/HDmCJ0NoHV
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 31, 2021

When: Thursday, September 2, 2021, 8:00 PM ET
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: FOX
Radio: WBT 1110 AM (North Carolina) / WBRW 105.3 FM (Virginia Tech)
Live Stream: CBS Sports
College Football Odds: Ohio State Buckeyes (-14.0) / Minnesota Golden Gophers (+14.0)

Why Bet on the Ohio State Buckeyes?

The Ohio State Buckeyes were one win away last season from winning their first-ever national title in the Ryan Day era with a humbling 52-24 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2020 CFP National Championship Game. Regardless, the Buckeyes enter the 2021 college football season as the No. 4 team in the nation and the frontrunner to win their fifth consecutive Big Ten title.

With Justin Fields now in the NFL, Ohio State will turn to last redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud to helm the offense this season. Even though Stroud has yet to play a college football game, head coach Ryan Day is confident that the young QB will find plenty to love out of his targets in veteran wideouts Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.

Last season, Wilson became just the second Buckeye to register four straight games with 100 or more receiving yards. Olave, meanwhile, has 111 receptions and 22 receiving touchdowns in three seasons with Ohio State.

Why Bet on the Minnesota Golden Gophers?

A meager 3-4 record during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season was not a good look for the fifth-year head coach P. J. Fleck and his Minnesota Gophers, who failed to carry over their momentum from 2019 when they won the Big Ten’s West division and second overall in the conference.

Fortunately for the Gophers, they’ll have a ton of experience on offense this season with senior QB Tanner Morgan back under center. Morgan is praying that his top receiving weapon, Chris Autman-Bell, has recovered from his leg injury in time to suit up for Thursday’s home opener. Then again, reigning Big Ten Running Back of the Year Mohamed Ibrahim (over 1,000 rushing yards and 15 rushing TDs in 2020) could certainly impose his will on the ground just as well if Minnesota fails to exploit Ohio State’s relatively porous secondary unit.

Ohio State vs. Minnesota Betting Trends

The Buckeyes are 9-0 in their last nine regular-season road games (7-2 ATS).
The Buckeyes are an even better 11-0 against Minnesota since 2001 (6-5 ATS).
The totals have gone under in all of the Buckeyes’ last three meetings against Minnesota.
The Golden Gophers are 6-3 at home since the start of the 2019 season (4-5 ATS).
The Golden Gophers are 3-6 as underdogs since 2017 (4-5 ATS).
The totals have gone under in four of the Golden Gophers’ last five regular-season games.

Ohio State vs. Minnesota Expert Betting Predictions

Considering the Buckeyes’ strong 2020 season and their dominance over Minnesota over the past two decades, this Week 1 matchup certainly favors the big dogs of the Big Ten. Then again, the lack of experience at quarterback is a concern for Ohio State, which the Golden Gophers could take advantage of with their own mix of experienced players on offense; at least well enough to possibly cover a two-touchdown spread, that is.

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 College Football season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.