Ohio State 34, Minnesota 21 (Sep. 27)

[stpaulgoph]

Not a flame, just a question.

I know this board is filled with homers (thats what message boards are for) but I am a little surprised with some of the predictions of 30-40 point wins I suppose.

No offense but I havent seen that much "O" to date of of tOSU, and while I support fans having positive and optimistic predictions, there are a lot of unknowns (first Big Ten start for your QB, no one has ever seen how Beanie and Pryor will work, how healthy is Beanie).

Or I guess I should ask this--you all must think the Gophers are the weakest team you have faced all year?

[greyscarlet]

Originally Posted by stpaulgoph

Not a flame, just a question.

I know this board is filled with homers (thats what message boards are for) but I am a little surprised with some of the predictions of 30 point wins I suppose.

Or I guess I should ask this--you all must think the Gophers are the weakest team you have faced all year?

I would say the general thought is more that tOSU has come nowhere close to it's potential. The only reason someone would go with 30+ is they believe all cylinders will be clicking on Saturday.

[CapnStubby]

Originally Posted by stpaulgoph

Or I guess I should ask this--you all must think the Gophers are the weakest team you have faced all year?

No... No... We are saving that distinction for Meeeechigan!

[buckeyesin07]

Originally Posted by stpaulgoph

Not a flame, just a question.

I know this board is filled with homers (thats what message boards are for) but I am a little surprised with some of the predictions of 30-40 point wins I suppose.

No offense but I havent seen that much "O" to date of of tOSU, and while I support fans having positive and optimistic predictions, there are a lot of unknowns (first Big Ten start for your QB, no one has ever seen how Beanie and Pryor will work, how healthy is Beanie).

Or I guess I should ask this--you all must think the Gophers are the weakest team you have faced all year?

Speaking for myself only, I don't think the Gophers are the weakest team OSU has faced all year (FWIW, I would put our opponents so far in this order from best to worst: USC, Troy, Minnesota, OU, YSU). Rather, I think that this is the first full game that we will (hopefully) have a healthy Beanie. With all due respect, if you think our offense's struggles thus far this season aren't largely due to Beanie's absence, then you must have missed most of his 1,600+ yards rushing last season. Give any team its best offensive player back from injury, and that team will produce more.

Prediction: OSU 45, Minnesota 10

[BUCKYLE]

Originally Posted by stpaulgoph

Not a flame, just a question.

I know this board is filled with homers (thats what message boards are for) but I am a little surprised with some of the predictions of 30-40 point wins I suppose.

No offense but I havent seen that much "O" to date of of tOSU, and while I support fans having positive and optimistic predictions, there are a lot of unknowns (first Big Ten start for your QB, no one has ever seen how Beanie and Pryor will work, how healthy is Beanie).

Or I guess I should ask this--you all must think the Gophers are the weakest team you have faced all year?

I don't think Minny is the weakest team at all. I do think JT has lit the fire this week, and with Beanie returning....

[stpaulgoph]

Originally Posted by buckeyesin07

Speaking for myself only, I don't think the Gophers are the weakest team OSU has faced all year (FWIW, I would put our opponents so far in this order from best to worst: USC, Troy, Minnesota, OU, YSU). Rather, I think that this is the first full game that we will (hopefully) have a healthy Beanie. With all due respect, if you think our offense's struggles thus far this season aren't largely due to Beanie's absence, then you must have missed most of his 1,600+ yards rushing last season. Give any team its best offensive player back from injury, and that team will produce more.

Prediction: OSU 45, Minnesota 10

I am not disrespecting anyones opinions--and realize that Beanie might have really helped in LA, but I dont think OSU needs Beanie to crush Troy or Ohio. Boom Herron is legit.

Beanie hasnt been the problem from the games I have watched. Its a woefully underperforming offensive line, inconsistent QB play, and normally high performing WR's playing than less to their abilities.

Anyways I hope he is healthy. Look forward to seeing him play.

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by stpaulgoph

Not a flame, just a question.

I know this board is filled with homers (thats what message boards are for) but I am a little surprised with some of the predictions of 30-40 point wins I suppose.

No offense but I havent seen that much "O" to date of of tOSU, and while I support fans having positive and optimistic predictions, there are a lot of unknowns (first Big Ten start for your QB, no one has ever seen how Beanie and Pryor will work, how healthy is Beanie).

Or I guess I should ask this--you all must think the Gophers are the weakest team you have faced all year?

No way. I personally think that the Gophers have made some important steps forward this year. Weber looks very solid. Decker looks excellent. The score predictions are not meant as any offense to your team. The score predictions are seen as us believing that we are going to improve a great deal this week. With the addition of Beanie Wells, the revamps on the offensive and defensive lines, and the increased shuffling of wide receivers to keep 'em fresh (According to JT on The Jim Tressel Call-In Show), I believe that Ohio State will be much stronger this week.

No offense was ever intended. And yes, Boom Herron is very solid. But, Beanie is much bigger and much more experienced. And, frankly, I still think that one of the bigger differences this week will definitely be with the line play. That will make a huge difference.

[buckeyes_rock]

Originally Posted by greyscarlet

I would say the general thought is more that tOSU has come nowhere close to it's potential. The only reason someone would go with 30+ is they believe all cylinders will be clicking on Saturday.

While I certainly hope to see us "firing on all cylinders," I think we may need to be a little patient with our offense. It might take a few games for Beanie and TP to get their timing down and for the coaches to figure out how to really utilize them both. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, just trying to keep it real.

We shall see...but it certainly would be nice to see that 45-10 prediction in our favor come true!

[buckeyesin07]

Originally Posted by stpaulgoph

Beanie hasnt been the problem from the games I have watched. Its a woefully underperforming offensive line, inconsistent QB play, and normally high performing WR's playing than less to their abilities.

Agreed that our offensive line has underperformed, but Beanie's extraordinary ability to break tackles makes our offensive line look better than it does with our other RBs in the backfield. I think you'll see a huge difference in our ability to run the ball this weekend, which keeps defenses honest and opens up other aspects of the game. This weekend will be the coming out party of the offense that everyone expected to see at the beginning of the year.

[jimotis4heisman]

Originally Posted by stpaulgoph

I am not disrespecting anyones opinions--and realize that Beanie might have really helped in LA, but I dont think OSU needs Beanie to crush Troy or Ohio. Boom Herron is legit.

Beanie hasnt been the problem from the games I have watched. Its a woefully underperforming offensive line, inconsistent QB play, and normally high performing WR's playing than less to their abilities.

Anyways I hope he is healthy. Look forward to seeing him play.

thats just on the offensive side of the ball, the defense has a laundry list also.

fyi the predictions are typical of "mid level" games. but many people predicted 7-17 pt wins vs usc. so take it for what its worth around here i guess...

[sparcboxbuck]

Originally Posted by underoath437

Didn't Vince Young and Cedric Benson play together one year? I can't remember off the top of my head, but if so that would be a closer example imho

In your example... I hope that our "Vince Young" and our "Cedric Benson" have a bit more success at the next level.

[BB73]

Originally Posted by underoath437

Didn't Vince Young and Cedric Benson play together one year? I can't remember off the top of my head, but if so that would be a closer example imho

I posted this last week in the "Pryor to Start?" thread in the Rumor Mill. Another good comparison was made by methomps, who mentioned Dixon and Stewart together at Oregon.

Originally Posted by BB73

The closest comparison I can think of is Benson and VY on 2004. I could live with these offensive stats.

Cedric Benson...324 carries...1834 yards...5.6 ypc...19 TDs
Vince Young.....167 carries...1079 yards...6.5 ypc...14 TDs

Young passing...148 of 250....1849 yards...12.TDs..11 Ints

That's 45 TDs accounted for by the two of them in the 2004 season in which VY was a redshirt sophomore.

In that season, they were shutout by the Oklahoma team that got blown out by USC in the BCS Title Orange Bowl. That was their only loss, they beat TSUN on a game-ending FG in the Rose Bowl.

[3074326]

Originally Posted by stpaulgoph

Not a flame, just a question.

I know this board is filled with homers (thats what message boards are for) but I am a little surprised with some of the predictions of 30-40 point wins I suppose.

No offense but I havent seen that much "O" to date of of tOSU, and while I support fans having positive and optimistic predictions, there are a lot of unknowns (first Big Ten start for your QB, no one has ever seen how Beanie and Pryor will work, how healthy is Beanie).

Or I guess I should ask this--you all must think the Gophers are the weakest team you have faced all year?

Minnesota's defense isn't doing to well this year, is it? (Not a sarcastic question, I haven't seen Minnesota play. I vaguely remember some defensive stats, I think) That might have something to do with the predictions. That, and the fact that Pryor showed some true poise in his first game, as well as some accuracy and ability to throw downfield. Beanie coming back doesn't hurt.

I can tell you that I root for Minnesota pretty much every week, except when they're playing OSU. I remember the Barber/Maroney days and how fun it was watching those two run. Especially Barber.

[stpaulgoph]

Originally Posted by 3074326

Minnesota's defense isn't doing to well this year, is it? (Not a sarcastic question, I haven't seen Minnesota play. I vaguely remember some defensive stats, I think) That might have something to do with the predictions.

Well they are 9th in the Big Ten total defense, but they are playing a lot better than last year. They are giving up 354 yard a game this year. Last year they gave up 518 yards a game. Bend but dont break essentially.

Minney is tops in the Big ten in TO margin with +11. Thats from 13 take-aways.

Ohio State is 10th in the Big Ten in total offense. Beanie or not thats not exactly world beating. It definitely could all come together this week--but I have a "I will believe it when I actually see it" attitude towards that...esp with unknowns in Pryor (he is still an unknown in many ways), Beanie's health, if the O-line can play up to potential etc...

Now I am not saying they need to play lights out on offense to beat my Gophers! But just little "huh?" with the offensive domination predictions and 40 + points when they put up 25 pts and 320 yards a game.

[buckeyesin07]

Originally Posted by stpaulgoph

Now I am not saying they need to play lights out on offense to beat my Gophers! But just little "huh?" with the offensive domination predictions and 40 + points when they put up 25 pts and 320 yards a game.

Total defense (national rank):

Troy -- 11th
OU -- 42nd
Minnesota -- 65th

Considering we put up 28 and 26 points against a lot better defenses than Minnesota without Beanie, I don't think it's at all ridiculous to think that we'll put up 40+ points with Beanie against Minnesota.