Miami (Ohio) @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 8, 2007 ) Miami (Ohio) 35, Minnesota 41

THE STORY: Minnesota will rally around head coach Jerry Kill when the Golden Gophers host Miami (Ohio) at TCF Bank Stadium. Kill suffered a seizure towards the end of last weekend’s game with New Mexico State but is expected to be on the sidelines on Saturday. His program needs inspiration after falling to 0-2 with a 28-21 loss to the Aggies.

The RedHawks had an off week following a 17-6 loss to Missouri in their season opener. Miami (Ohio) was within four points heading into the fourth quarter but couldn’t break the Tigers' defense, dropping its 12th straight road contest to a BCS opponent. First-year head coach Don Treadwell is no stranger to the team’s Big Ten opponent, having served as an offensive coordinator at Michigan State for four years.

TV: Big Ten Network LINE: Minnesota -5

ABOUT MIAMI (OHIO) (0-1): The RedHawks flirted with an upset versus Missouri, keeping it close against a team that beat them by 38 points the season before. That improvement has Miami (Ohio) fired up to face Minnesota. The RedHawks defense was solid versus Missouri, but turnovers and missed field goals were the difference.

ABOUT MINNESOTA (0-2): Lost in the headlines following Kill’s hospitalization was the play of Gophers QB Marqueis Gray versus New Mexico State. He compiled 321 yards of offense, including 110 rushing yards. That made him the first Gophers QB to top the century mark on the ground since 2003.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The last time the RedHawks won a non-conference road game was September 20, 2003. Miami (Ohio) has since dropped 14 non-conference road tilts in a row. Minnesota leads the alltime series 2-0, the most recent meeting coming in September 2007.

2. RedHawks QB Zac Dysert is making just his second start since returning from a lacerated spleen he suffered against Bowling Green last November. Against Missouri, the junior was 26 of 39 for 194 yards and an interception.

3. Minnesota has seriously improved on special teams. After finishing last among FBS programs in punting in 2010, the Golden Gophers are currently 21st in the nation, averaging 45.6 yards per punt.

PREDICTION: Minnesota 21, Miami (Ohio) 17 – Kill gets his first win as Minnesota head coach in an inspired effort from the Gophers, but not before a scare from the prepared RedHawks.