COLUMBUS, Ohio — The disparity between the Gophers and Ohio State football programs wasn’t immediately evident at the start of Saturday’s game at Ohio Stadium.
Minnesota actually became the first team to score on Ohio State in a first quarter so far this season, staking a 3-0 lead after a long drive on the first possession of the game. And the U’s defense kept its fifth straight opponent from scoring on its opening drive.
That pair of events was the U’s peak against the top-ranked team in the country.
Buckeyes star wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate ran past Minnesota defensive backs, each netting a touchdown catch, as Ohio State scored TDs on the next three possessions.
On national TV in prime time, the defending national champions cruised to a 42-3 win over Minnesota.
In reality, the gulf between the Gophers and Ohio State was mentioned before kickoff with 105,000 fans at The Horseshoe.
“They make more (revenue) on one home football game in ticket sales than we do all year,” Coyle told KFAN. “I mean, think about that for a second.”
On the field, Smith showed why he’s so well paid, finishing the game with seven receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns.
The No. 1-ranked recruit in the 2024 class and reigning Big Ten receiver of the year is reportedly earning more than $4 million in NIL (name, image and likeness) deals.
That sum might be more than double the entire Gophers roster. Last year, Minnesota’s NIL budget was $2.5 million.
The Gophers (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) have pretty much always struggled against the Buckeyes (4-0, 1-0). Minnesota is 3-42 against Ohio State since 1950, including the 14 straight since 2000.
But with reports of the Big Ten in discussions over a more than $2 billion infusion from investors and NIL funds continuing to grow.
With the win, Ohio State coach Ryan Day moved past Knute Rockne for the all-time best career winning percentage (.882) in major college football.
Minnesota put up 66 yards on the opening drive and 96 over the next nine drives.
The biggest offensive play came on the opening drive with a 26-yard completion from Drake Lindsey to Jameson Geers. Brady Denaburg capped the drive on a 27-yarder for a 3-0 lead.
The Buckeyes’ No. 1 ranked scoring defense (5.5 points per game) didn’t allow another point on Saturday.
In the fourth quarter, Denaburg missed a 41-yarder that would have matched what Washington mustered in the Buckeyes’ 24-6 win last weekend.
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