College Football

Ohio State vs. Minnesota: Win $10,000 free with FOX Super 6

Updated Sep. 1, 2021 8:14 p.m. ET

By Kevin Cooney
Special to FOX Sports

In the Big Ten right now, there is one gold standard, dressed in scarlet and gray.

From the time Urban Meyer stepped on campus in Columbus, Ohio, the conference has been run by The Ohio State University, and Ryan Day’s program hasn’t skipped a beat since he took over in 2019. Day’s team is 23-2 under his command, losing only in the 2019 College Football Playoff semifinal to Clemson and the 2020 championship to Alabama.

Minnesota looked like it was stepping up in class after an 11-2 campaign and bowl win in 2019. But COVID-19’s shortened schedule and graduations hit head coach P.J. Fleck’s Golden Gophers hard last year, en route to a 3-4 season that was among the most disappointing in college football.

Both teams arrive at the starting line of the 2021 season with high hopes, albeit at different levels. The Buckeyes – even with Justin Fields gone to the Bears – have their eyes on a second CFP championship. The Gophers are trying to regain the momentum of what Fleck was building. Add it all up, and Thursday night’s kickoff (8 p.m. ET, FOX) at TCF Field in Minneapolis is filled with delicious subplots.

And you could win some tasty cash to start Labor Day weekend with FOX Bet Super 6. Just answer all six questions about how the game will unfold correctly, and you could take home $10,000. It’s fast, and it’s free, and all it takes is downloading the FOX Super 6 app on your phone or mobile device.

Here are the six questions and a little scouting report before Thursday's game.

How will the first points of the game be scored?
The options: Ohio State TD, Ohio State FG, Minnesota TD, Minnesota FG or any other score

Trends carrying from one year to another is a dangerous thing to project. That said, the last three games of the Buckeyes' 2020 season (Northwestern in the Big Ten title game, Clemson in the CFP semifinal, Alabama in the title game) saw the opposing team score the first touchdown of the game.

If Minnesota is going to hang in this one, it has to strike first. But that’s easier said than done. CJ Stroud should be the starting QB for the Buckeyes, and he has the potential to be a big factor.

Prediction: Ohio State TD

Which team will score the most points at the half, and how many will they score?
The options: Ohio State, Minnesota or tie

The Buckeyes led at the half in every game but two last season: the Big Ten title game against Northwestern (in which they were held to two first-half field goals) and the national title game against Alabama. Overall, they averaged 24.3 points in the first half.

Yes, there’s no Fields. But there’s still plenty there, and it's difficult to imagine Minnesota scoring a ton without wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who left early.

Prediction: Ohio State, 25-28 points

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Which team will have the most rushing yards, and how many will they have?
The options: Ohio State, Minnesota or tie, with a scale of 0-276+ rushing yards

There’s a two-headed monster in Columbus at running back, with Miyan Williams and Master Teague, both figuring to get some handoffs from Shroud. Plus, it doesn’t hurt when you consistently have incredible, NFL-type lines in front of you.

Minnesota has Mohamad Ibrahim, who was awarded the Big Ten’s Running Back of the Year award. But the Gophers could be playing lots of catch-up.

Prediction: Ohio State, 201-225 yards

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Which team will have the most passing yards, and how many will they have?
The options: Ohio State, Minnesota or tie, with a scale of 0-351+ offense yards

The Buckeyes are brimming with weapons that are untested but also highly sought-after. One guy to keep an eye on for Ohio State who has some experience under his belt is wide receiver Chris Olave, who had seven touchdowns in seven games last year.

If the Gophers are going to have a chance, Tanner Morgan will have to play better at quarterback than he did a season ago. His numbers Thursday could be inflated by some desperation passing after the game’s result has been determined.

Prediction: Minnesota, 326-350 yards

Who will have the most total offensive yards, and how many will they have?
The options: Ohio State, Minnesota or tie, with a scale of 0-551+ offensive yards

As with the passing yards, this is where the number could get wacky. Ohio State has the best talent on both sides of the ball in the Big Ten — that’s not up for debate. But if the Buckeyes end up running up a really big number, they could play off the ball with backups, and that’s where things could get interesting.

That said, you always take the blue blood here.

Prediction: Ohio State, 476-500 yards

Which team will win, and by how many points?
The options: Ohio State or Minnesota, with ranges of one to 21+ points

Remember last year, when Minnesota’s season opener was spoiled by a mediocre Michigan team at TCF Stadium? Ohio State isn’t mediocre, and the Buckeyes will embarrass you at the drop of a hat. If they aren’t in the playoff again, it would be a huge surprise. And they should have a nice Thursday night workout to open the season.

Prediction: Ohio State, 21+

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