The TCF Bank Stadium said it was 10 degrees, as the Gophers arrived for today's 11 a.m., kickoff against Ohio State. There is very little wind, though, so that will help keep things warmer, and the new heat coils will keep the playing surface nice and soft.
Snow is the wild card. It looks like there's about a 30 percent chance of snow showers during the game. The Gophers practiced in falling snow twice this week. I think they would welcome it today.
Update: Snow flurries started about 9:50 a.m. It's 15 degrees for kickoff, coldest for the Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. It was 18 degrees for last November's game against Wisconsin.
Possible X factor: This will be the Gophers' fifth consecutive 11 a.m., kickoff. Ohio State's past three games, meanwhile, were all 8 p.m. (Eastern) kicks.
Uni watch: The Gophers are wearing gold helmets, gold jerseys and white pants.
Lessons from TCU
I keep thinking back to the TCU game. That's the best point of reference for this matchup against Ohio State. The Gophers committed five turnovers that day in a 30-7 loss. Mitch Leidner had sprained his MCL one week earlier and was a shell of himself.
But the TCU offense, statistically, is even better than Ohio State's. The Horned Frogs capitalized on turnovers, using a short field to help build that 24-0 lead. So it was basically over there, but Gary Patterson kept his foot on the pedal, hoping to get the TCU offense ready for the Big 12. The Horned Frogs managed just two field goals after halftime. Trevone Boykin was so frustrated at one point, he spiked the ball.
