(Video courtesy Gopher Athletics)

Syracuse (1-2, 0-0 Big East) at Minnesota (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)  

Kickoff: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)

Spread: Pick’em

Watchability: The Gophers are adjusting to life without injured star QB MarQueis Gray as QB Max Shortell takes his place under center. The attack will have a different feel with the pure passer and Syracuse also likes to air it out. If you like passing, this is a good game to watch.

Shining stars: Syracuse: QB Ryan Nassib has spent the first part of the season rewriting the school’s record book. The senior has completed 66 percent of his passes for 1,139 yards with nine touchdowns against three interceptions this season. He also has rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown. Minnesota: WR A.J. Barker has been the team’s primary weapon in the passing game, making 10 catches for 231 yards and four touchdowns through three games. No other Minnesota receiver has more than 99 yards.

Who could steal the show: Syracuse: LB Marquis Spruill leads the team with 21 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, to go with a sack. The second-team All-Big East selection from last season will be counted on to stop a Minnesota ground game that averages nearly 210 yards per game. Minnesota: DB Derrick Wells continues to be the backbone of the defense. The safety is eighth in the Big Ten with 26 total tackles and has a league-high seven passes defensed and two interceptions this season. Wells is the focal point of a rebuilt secondary that is among the best in the league.

You going? Ranking the road trip: Get down to Tribal Nations Plaza two hours before kickoff. The marching band gets Gophers fans riled up before the game.

Magic number for Syracuse: 533.3. Yards per game averaged by the Orange. The school record of 451.5 was set in 1959.   

Magic number for Minnesota: 8. Sacks this year for the Gophers. DE D.L. Wilhite leads the Big Ten with 3.5 sacks while DE Ra'Shede Hageman has 3.0.

The game comes down to: Can Minnesota slow down the Orange attack? Syracuse has scored at least 28 points in every game this season and is one of the better passing teams in the country. The Gophers lead the league in pass efficiency defense (84.0) and have made five interceptions through three games.

Prediction: Minnesota 28, Syracuse 24

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen.