I wouldn't go that far, but Johnson is favored. If I had to guess, he will defeat Barnes by around mid-single digits this fall.
It's quite likely to be republican wave environment.. and contrary to some analysis, Johnson is a strong incumbent.. he outperformed trump in 16.
It's borderline Safe R.
What happened between then and now
A Trump presidency where literally every senator was incredibly partisan.. and the first year of a significantly unpopular democratic incumbent.
You're not making the point you think you are.