FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show is filled with commentators qualified to talk about college quarterbacks with Urban Meyer, Brady Quinn and Matt Leinart on set.

Meyer and Leinart spoke Friday with local reporters on the national pregame show’s set outside 3M Arena at Mariucci. Both praised Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey.

Lindsey has completed 67% of his passes (88 for 132) for 951 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions through four games. He will need to play well for Minnesota (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) to upset Michigan (3-1, 0-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium.

“Brady loves Drake,” Leinart told reporters. “We quarterbacks always love quarterbacks, so we talk about them. This year, this class, there are the big names and everyone talks about them, but Drake has been really good.”

Leinart, who won the Heisman Trophy at Southern Cal in 2004, added what Lindsey has been able to do this year is more impressive because the Gophers have struggled to consistently run the ball.

“They put a lot of pressure on him because of the fact that they don’t really run the football very well,” Leinart said. “… But he has been good. I think he’s an NFL guy, so I’m excited to see him in person play.”

Meyer coached a slew of successful quarterbacks — Alex Smith at Utah, Tim Tebow at Florida, Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett, Cardale Jones and Dwayne Haskins at Ohio State as well as Trevor Lawrence in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Those kinds of quarterbacks you don’t really see much anymore, big, stationary quarterbacks. He’s got a laser,” Meyer said.

“I’m going to have a little fun with him. He was a risk taker against Washington last week,” Meyer continued. “Threw three balls that I was like — I would have said, ‘Don’t throw it! Nice throw, Drake.’ Two touchdowns. One of them, I was like, ‘I can’t believe he threw that ball.’ Just a big, strong-armed kid (who) doesn’t make mistakes.”

What’s the next step for Lindsey?

“He will be an NFL player,” Meyer responded.

Upset special

Leinart believes the Gophers can pull off a “program-defining” win on Saturday. He was primarily impressed with what Minnesota’s defense did in the 27-24 road win at Washington. The U had seven sacks and two interceptions in Seattle.

“I think (Minnesota) can win tomorrow,” Leinart said. “Spoiler alert: I’m going to pick them to win. Not that it matters, but I think they are going to win.”

Meyer said midday Friday he hadn’t yet decided his pick for this year’s Little Brown Jug rivalry game.

Memory lane

Meyer predicted one line of questioning before it could be asked Friday. Reflections on No. 8 Ohio State’s 31-24 win over Minnesota at a snowy and cold TCF Bank Stadium in November 2014.

It registered at 15 degrees at kickoff, which is the coldest game in Minneapolis since 1977; that’s as far back as U box scores list temperatures.

“Rolling through the streets with a foot of snow and no police escort, Meyer recalled. “The language I was using, it wasn’t very good.”

Pregame, Meyer saw some hardy Minnesota fans enduring the elements.

“Looked up at the tough-ass people wearing shorts and shirts,” he said. “I went to the staff and said we’d better be ready for this one.”

Barrett started the game off with an 86-yard touchdown run as the Buckeyes took a 31-14 lead, but David Cobb rushed for 145 yards and three touchdown to make it competitive late.

Source: Yahoo Sports