DraftKings · as of July 8, 2026
Ohio State defeated Minnesota 42–3 in a dominant performance. Ohio State covered by 15.5; Game went Over by 2.5. The market closed at Ohio State -23.5 and the Blue Chip model made it Ohio State -28.6 - a gap of 5.1 points toward Ohio State, of which 4.3 points were beyond the model's measured factors. That was an information gap - the market pricing something the model does not carry - rather than a measured edge.
Sayin threw for 326 yards and 3 touchdowns, completing 23 of 27 passes, showing improved confidence and deep-ball accuracy. This performance suggests the offense is clicking and could be even more dangerous moving forward.
Tate had a career-high 183 receiving yards on 9 catches, including a 44-yard touchdown. His ability to stretch the field on first downs (5 catches on first plays of drives) adds a new dimension to the passing game.
Ohio State held Minnesota to 3 points and 94 passing yards, marking the second game without allowing a touchdown and the fifth straight game holding opponents to 10 points or fewer (first time since 1979). The defense has not allowed a first-half or red-zone touchdown all season.
In addition to Sayin's passing, the Buckeyes had rushing touchdowns from CJ Donaldson, Bo Jackson, and Lincoln Kienholz, while Jeremiah Smith caught two touchdowns. This versatility makes the offense difficult to defend.
Ohio State travels to face Illinois, who will be a tougher test. The Buckeyes' ability to maintain offensive rhythm and defensive dominance on the road will be key, especially against a ranked opponent.
At kickoff, conditions at Ohio Stadium were Clear, 67°F with winds of 5 mph. Weather is not expected to be a meaningful factor in this game. Historical weather data for this game is preserved in the panel alongside. Weather data is sourced from WeatherAPI.com.
Clear
67°F
| Measure | MinnesotaAway | Ohio StateHome |
|---|---|---|
| This week | 623 miles | 0 miles |
| Last week | Home game | 4,019 miles |
| Season total | 3,775 miles | 4,019 miles |
| Body clock | 18:30 | 19:30 |
| Rest | 7 days | 7 days |
.png)
