Ohio State Football: Buckeye Blitz returns with Big Ten kickoff

#18 Michigan at #21 Minnesota — 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC

Line: -3.0; O/U: 54

With a kick-off temperature of 28°F and a chance for snow throughout the game, the Wolverines and Golden Gophers will not only have to face the opposition and the challenges that come with this delayed season, but they will also face the conditions.

The running game may be more heavily relied upon, but both Michigan and Minnesota were average on the ground last year, rushing for 150.7 and 178.7 yards per game, respectively.

Michigan returns their two leading rushers (Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins), while Minnesota loses leading-rusher Rodney Smith (1,163 rushing yards and 8 TDs), but returns a solid back in Mohamed Ibrahim (604 yards, 7 TDs).

On defense, both teams ranked in the top 40 in scoring defense, rushing, passing yards, and total yards per game allowed – Michigan was top 25 in all four categories. With six Michigan starters returning and five for Minnesota, defense will likely rule the day in a battle of wills against the frigid Minneapolis air.

The line shows that while this game is almost a toss-up, the Wolverines hold the edge on the road. Last year, both teams were slow coming out of the gate, Michigan struggling in wins over Middle Tennessee and Army, and losing to Wisconsin, while Minnesota won their first four games by just 20 combined points against just one power 5 team – Purdue.

This year, it could be an ugly game with little scoring, but Michigan having just enough to get past Minnesota, benefitting from avoiding a crowd on the road.

Michigan 20, Minnesota 16

Now, onto some of the other big match-ups to watch in college football this weekend.

Illinois at #14-t Wisconsin — 8 p.m. ET (Friday) on BTN

Last year, the Fighting Illini came away with a big 24-21 upset win over the Badgers that started a 4-game winning streak that put Lovie Smith’s team into their first bowl game since 2019. With most of the Illinois offense and half the defense coming back this year, can they once again pull the upset against a Wisconsin team that returns nine starters from a top 10 defense?

#23 NC State (4-1, all ACC) at #14-t North Carolina (3-1, all ACC) — Noon ET on ESPN

While the team expected to do well this season is coming off a poor performance in a loss on the road to Florida State (North Carolina), their opponent and in-state rival, NC State, has won three games in a row and stands alone in third in the ACC standings. Can the Tar Heels recover and place themselves back in the conference race, or will the Wolfpack continue to overcome the odds and improve to 5-1?

#17 Iowa State (3-1, 3-0 Big 12) at #6 Oklahoma State (3-0, 2-0) — 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox

Before the season began, the Red River Rivalry two weeks ago was projected to be the biggest Big 12 game of the year in terms of CFP implications. However, both Texas and Oklahoma now both have two losses, leaving pre-season dark-horse contenders Iowa State and Oklahoma State at the top of the conference. Both teams will have to deal with Kansas State (also 3-1, 3-0 in Big 12 play), but before that, one will emerge from Stillwater with a solid hold at the top of the Big 12.

#9 Cincinnati (3-0, 1-0 AAC) at #16 SMU (5-0, 2-0) — 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2

With UCF falling two weeks ago to Tulsa, former Ohio State player and coach Luke Fickell leads the Bearcats into a very important match-up against a cruising Mustangs team. The winner of this game will be in pole position for a New Years’ Six berth, but if the losing team can continue their hot start after this game, these teams could face off again in December for the AAC title.

With the return of Big Ten football this week, the race for the CFP can really begin (sorry, Pac-12, but it’s been four years).