Ohio State Football: Way too early 2021 game predictions

Ohio State will open the 2021 season with a road trip to Minnesota. The Golden Gophers had a great season in 2019, winning double-digit games, and were thought to be one of the contenders in the west division heading into 2020.

The Golden Gophers could not replicate the success and it was mostly due to a terrible defense and an offense that could not find an identity until it was too late. This is a tough way to open a season if you are PJ Fleck and Minnesota.

I think that it is possible for Minnesota to have a bounce-back season with quarterback Tanner Morgan back to lead the offense, but the receiving corps is a bit unproven and the defense has a lot of question marks. That is not a recipe for success against this Ohio State offense. The Buckeyes roll in Minneapolis.

Final Score: Ohio State 45, Minnesota 27 (1-0, 1-0 Big Ten)

One of the marquee games of the season will take place in week two when two-time defending Pac-12 champion Oregon comes to Columbus.

This was going to be one of the most anticipated games of the 2020 season, but COVID took this game away from college football fans. Oregon is coming off another Pac-12 championship and is hoping to take that next step as a program and challenge for a spot in the college football playoff. To show that they belong amongst the nation’s elite, the Ducks need a good showing in Columbus.

Oregon has a lot of question marks coming into this season, but none bigger than who is under center. Tyler Shough decided to transfer out of the program and it could lead to last year’s backup, Boston College transfer Anthony Brown to take the snaps at the start of the year. I think that Oregon is going to contend for another Pac-12 title and be a good team in 2021, but I don’t think that they are ready to knock off the Buckeyes with the questions they have on offense.

Final Score: Ohio State 35, Oregon 24 (2-0, 1-0 Big Ten)