Game Eight: Ohio State 45, Minnesota 31 (final)

[BUCKYLE]

I think our d will be up for this one. they are the best run, if not overall defense minny will play this year. it wont be a blowout, but a w nonetheless.

[MililaniBuckeye]

I wouldn't use our offensive troubles at Penn State several weeks back as a barometer for playing at Minnesota. The Metronome (yeah, it's misspelled on purpose) is not going to be near as insane as Crappy Valley was. Minnesota's defense is nowhere near Penn State's...they've given up 35+ points in three of their last four games, including 35 to Purdue and 38 to Wisconsin at home. They rank #57 in total defense, #70 in rushing defense, #54 in passing defense, and #59 in scoring defense (25.4 ppg). Those defensive stats are skewed due to their playing offensive powerhouses such as Tulsa and Florida Atlantic. I would like to think we can put up around 30 points on them.

Their offense is good against bad-to-mediocre defenses, while so-so against a decent defense (23 at Michigan) and inept against a solid defense (14 at Penn State). In fact, at Penn State, aside from a 21-yard run by Gary Russell, the RBs had a total of 80 yards on 23 carries (3.5 ypc). If we play rush defense like we have all year, then Minnesota will be forced to throw the ball, which will allow our DL to tee off on Cupito. We should keep them under 20 points fairly easily.

[BuckeyeSoldier]

Actually, I'm feeling more optimistic about this game than I have most of the games this season. Minny is completely one-dimensional and you simply can't survive that way against top flight defenses. I predict they score 10 or less on offense.

Here goes my Nostradomus moment for the year, I see this game as the one where everyone in buckeye nation gets happy all of a sudden because the offense looked like it had a clue. I am calling for a blow out. Whether deserved or not I expect a LOT of praise for TS, TG, and TP after this game.

Final score: tOSU 45 Minny 7

[buckeyeboy]

Originally Posted by R0CK3TM4NN

This will be the toughest road test yet.

I don't know if I agree with this. I think the PSU game was by far the toughest road test. Not only do I think that PSU is a better team, evidenced by the fact that PSU thrashed Minnesota when the two teams played, but I also think that the atmosphere at PSU was more against us than it will be at Minnesota. At PSU, they had the whiteout, their fans were going nuts b/c they were still an undefeated team after several years of bad football, their stadium holds more people, and from what I hear (although I've not been to either place), PSU's stadium is much more conducive to creating a hostile environment for a visiting team (e.g., more crowd noise) relative to the Metrodome, which is designed to accommodate pro football and baseball also.

[Bucktastic]

I finally complete my circle of going to all 11 Big Ten venues with this one. Anyone else heading to the game??

Hopefully we get another REF crew for this game. B/c they are the only ones who even kept it close for a while against our last opponent.

With Teddy running NORTH-SOUTH again......this one could get ugly for Minnihaha.

[Zurp]

The way I see it, Minnesota's offensive strength is their running game, and Ohio State's defensive strength is against the run. I know it's the old cliche, but a good defense will typically beat a good offense. Ohio State won't necessarily remain #1 in the country against the run (I'm assuming they climbed back to #1 after Nebraska gave up 1000 yards against Misery), but they should win this game. Force Minnesota to throw the ball, and they get a positive turnover margin, and win the game fairly easily. But if Minnesota can run get 5+ yards on first downs, and Troy Smith starts to think he needs to make plays, it's going to be a tough game.

I predict that the offense still hasn't found it's way through the hedge maze, but they put together a couple of good drives. The defense gives up a couple of long runs to Minnesota, but stops them for the most part. Final score: Ohio State 27 - Minnesota 17.

[ntd]

If Minny gets some good play from its QB they have a shot...Wheelwright is a good looking WR and their running game is scary. Maroney and Russell have the talent to put up 100 on the Bucks, but they'll have to get some good QB play to do it.

OSU 28, Minny 14