Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Ohio: 5 Players To Watch

Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Minnesota RB Rodney Smith

Smith set a career-high for carries against Kent State with 30, but the Golden Gophers’ offensive line struggles led to him rushing for just 73 yards (2.4 yards per carry). The redshirt freshman is clearly Minnesota’s No. 1 tailback, and rightfully so, with a notable role in the passing game (four catches for 24 yards) last week. Smith should be the featured player in Minnesota’s offense on Saturday, with 25 touches a minimum expectation.