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2005 Minnesota Golden Gophers Game Preview

3yardsandacloud

Administrator Emeritus
2005 Minnesota Golden Gophers Game Preview
written by: BB73, Bucklion, DaddyBigBucks, daddyphatsacs,
Hubbard, Jaxbuck, LordJeffBuck, and 3yardsandacloud


Well, it's time for the longest road trip that the Buckeyes make within the conference. That's right, the team heads all the way to the Twin Cities, located somewhere between Chicago and the Klondike, to play the Golden Gophers on Saturday.

According to some accounts of recent activities by the local professional football team, these are the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. To be factual, they're actually the fairly large city of Minneapolis, which is located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, and the smaller State Capital of St. Paul on the other side.

Minnesota plays their home games in the venerable Metrodome, which holds the distinction of being the largest plastic bag to ever host the Super Bowl, two World Series, and a pair of Final Fours.

The Metrodome was also the site of this piece of baseball history: On May 4, 1984, Oakland's Dave Kingman hit a ball into one of the roof's drainage holes in a 4th inning at-bat. The ball never came down and Kingman was awarded a ground-rule double. This raises the question: If A.J. Trapasso really booms a punt, and the ball gets stuck in a drainage hole in the roof, how will the referees deal with the ground-rule double in football? Well, after witnessing the Big Ten officiating crew at Indiana last Saturday, I'm sure we all feel the right call will be made.

The Buckeyes have fared well in the Metrodome, winning all 9 contests since the stadium opened in the early 1980s, including a record epic comeback from a 31-0 deficit in 1989.

Minnesota does have a rich football history, although most of that rich history is of the ancient variety. They claim 6 national titles, but only 1 since the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor (correction: that should say the Japanese, just ignore the channeling of Blutarsky).

Their last two 10 win seasons occurred in '03 and '05. That would be 2003 and unfortunately for them, 1905 (yes, really). They had a brilliant stretch from '00 through '05; they actually compiled a record of 65-4-5 from 1900 through 1905. In both 1903 and 1904, they gave up less points over the course of the season than the number of games they won. Impressive stuff, but obviously ancient history.

The 10 wins in 2003 were partially attributed to their assistant director of scheduling, Betty Crocker. She apparently signs the contracts for the athletic department, and also chooses the flavor for the frosting. Tulsa, Troy State (just before they dropped the 'State'), Ohio, and La-Lafayette were the designated cupcakes that season, while the Big-10 slate had them missing out on tOSU and a Purdue team that went to the Capital One (what's in yer wallet?) Bowl.

Ms. Crocker has apparently been at this scheduling thing long before Glen Mason came to town. After winning 3 straight NC's under Bernie Bierman from 1934 through 1936, they played Notre Dame twice, losing to them in 1937 and 1938. They haven't played the Domers since then, and apparently Ms. Crocker still refuses to take calls from the NotreDameChief of Scheduling for the Fighting Irish.

In order to balance the historical look at the Gophers, it's only fair to point out these facts:

Minnesota only has a losing all-time record against 1 conference, a 1-2 mark against the WAC. They have a winning record against the SEC, the Big-12, and the Pac-10, and are 2-2 against the ACC.

They won their only meetings against Texas and Alabama (their Music City Bowl victory was the last time anybody beat the Crimson Tide, who are now "Rollin' baby").

They have a 29-20 mark against Nebraska. OK, since they've lost the last 14 in the series, Ms. Crocker has dropped the Huskers from the schedule.

Finally, readers are looking for predictions of what will happen in Saturday's game. At this point, it's easier to say what won't happen.

The losing team won't score 56 points, as Purdue did in a loss at the Metrodome in 1993 (59-56, without OT).

Minnesota will not get over 400 yards on the ground and lose the game, as they did against Michigan in 2003, (the Gophers had 424 rushing yards in the game where they lost the 28-7 lead in the largest comeback victory ever for the Princeton-helmeted squad). Minnesota repeated this feat 2 weeks ago, rushing for 411 yards before squandering the Paul Bunyon Axe by failing to get off a punt against Wisconsin with a little over 30 seconds left in the game.

One last thing that won't happen on this visit to the land of 10,000 lakes: The Buckeyes will not be taking a team cruise on Lake Minnetonka.​




Date and Time
Game time: Saturday, October 29th, 2005
12:10 EDT Kick-off at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (Minneapolis, MN)
ABC (regional) will cover the game.​




2005 Minnesota Golden Gophers Offensive Preview


Returning starters: 8

The Buckeyes did a fabulous job of shutting down an up-and-coming Hoosier offense last week. This weekend, it’s off to Minneapolis, to face a Gopher offense that has been dominant for most of the season, and set up the winning points in a giant victory at Ann Arbor October 8th. Last season the Gophers were a very one-dimensional team, ranking 5th in rushing (256.8 ypg) and 88th passing (181.5 ypg). Their scoring offense was very good (30.1 ppg, 29th nationally) and their total offense number was good enough to be ranked 15th in the nation. They had a potent one-two punch running the football, with Marion Barber, III and Laurence Maroney. Still, the one-dimensionality of the offense caught up to the Gophers, as they dropped 5 of their last 6, including a terrible loss to Indiana, before getting a nice win over Alabama in the Music City Bowl.

This season, the offense is still one-dimensional, still with a one-two punch, and still can be exposed by a very good defense. Again, the Gophers are in the top 10 in total offense (492.7 ypg; 9th) and the Gophers lead the nation in rushing with a gaudy 299.1 yards per game, more than option teams Navy, Rice, and Air Force, and heavily run-oriented Texas and Memphis. The passing game continues to be far less than stellar, with 191.5 yards per game ranking 90th nationally. The Gophers are scoring 36.6 points per game, good for a respectable 18th nationally, so all in all, the Minnesota offense is as good as it was last year. Still, the Gophers were blown up by Penn State, demonstrating that a defense that can stop the run can dominate the Gophers ... something Michigan couldn’t do, but Ohio State most certainly can. It will be up the Gopher passing game to keep the Buckeye defense honest, which is a tall order, given the quality of the Buckeye secondary. The Gophers don’t match up well with the Buckeye defense, so they’re going to need a big game from the QB position, and they will have to execute the game plan almost to perfection to emerge victorious in this week’s contest.


Quarterbacks
QB #14 Bryan Cupito (6-1, 195, JR)

Bryan Cupito is a veteran in the Minnesota system, and has become somewhat effective in doing what the coaches need him to do. So far in 2005, he’s completed 55% of his limited attempts (149 in 6 games played) for 1208 yards and 10 TDs to 6 INTs. He threw for over 200 in 3 of the first four games, including a season-high 271 and 3 TDs against Purdue. He’s also been able to avoid the big loss by only allowing 3 sacks in 7 games, which is a solid stat. On the downside, Cupito is on pace to put up pretty much identical numbers to what he had last year, indicating that he’s basically performing at capacity, and has been doing so for a while now. He’s also no threat in the run game (11 yards on 17 carries). So, it appears he can be solid when the running game is working, but he cannot take over a game and win it himself, as evidenced in the Penn State game. Throw in the fact that he was knocked out of the Michigan game and missed the Wisconsin game entirely, and his durability is in question, which is something that is really, really going to be a problem against the Ohio State front 7. Expect Cupito to get knocked around, and have difficulty establishing a consistent passing game, even if the Buckeyes stack the line.

The backup is Tony Mortensen, a freshman who started the Wisconsin game after getting garbage time minutes early in the year. He did a decent job, though he only completed 7/17 for 99 yards, and he tossed one TD and one INT. Most importantly, he avoided the huge mistake and had the team in position to win before they experienced one of the biggest meltdowns in recent Big Ten history. He’s a decent stop-gap player, but if he sees the field Saturday, the Gophers are probably in trouble.

QB Rating: D

Head-to-Head: Bryan Cupito versus Troy Smith

Smith has certainly been inconsistent this season, but he should feed off a weaker Gopher defense, both running and throwing. Cupito is a gritty player, but he’s been injured, knocked around, and hasn’t been able to step his game up to another level this year. Smith is the choice at QB in this one.

Edge: Troy Smith


Running Backs
RB #22 Laurence Maroney (5-11, 205, JR)
FB #18 Justin Valentine (6-2, 215, SO)

In sharp contrast to the passing game, there is a wealth of talent in the running game, as one might expect. The unquestioned leader is Maroney, who already has 1133 yards and 8 TDs, averaging over 5 yards per carry. He’s topped the 200 yard mark 3 times, including a monster 258 yard performance against Wisconsin, and over 200 against Purdue. On the down side, he’s been held to only 2 TDs in conference play, and was smacked around at Penn State, where he gained only 48 yards on 16 carries. He is a powerful back with good speed, and he can also catch passes, having 11 for 131 yards and a score so far this year. He has factored in very little in the passing game in conference play, however. Maroney obviously has a wealth of talent, but if he wants to be remembered in the elite list of Big Ten backs, he needs a good performance this weekend at home against a stellar run defense.

Second on the depth chart is sophomore Gary Russell, who could be starting on a lot of squads. He has 644 yards and 10 TDs, and averages over 7 yards per carry. He had a huge game against Purdue, rushing for over 100 and scoring 2 TDs and catching a third. He also scored a pair in the Wisconsin game, while rushing for 139 yards. He was also over 100 at Michigan, where his monster run at the end of the game set up the winning points. It could be argued that he has done just as well as Maroney in conference play, so the Buckeyes will have to keep their eyes on him Saturday.

Third on the chart is Amir Pinnix, who has not played in a conference game, and it can be presumed he won’t on Saturday either. Fullback Justin Valentine isn’t much of a factor in the rushing game (9 carries, 41 yards) but he has been working hard on his blocking this year, and has made some improvements. Backup Jason Lamers is a bigger kid (240) who could also see the field some.

RB Rating: A-

Head-to-Head: Maroney versus Pittman

Statistically, this is a no-contest. Pittman has been playing better as of late however, and has done a good job in recent weeks of establishing a run game. Maroney is clearly the more explosive player, and certainly Russell is a fabulous backup, but don’t count Pittman out ... he could just have his best game when all eyes are on the opponent’s ground attack.

Edge: Maroney


Wide Receivers
WR #83 Jared Ellerson (6-1, 200, SR)
WR #82 Ernest Wheelright (6-5, 210, SO)

This group obviously has limited production due to the mediocre passing attack and dominating ground game of the Gophers. Ellerson is a system guy who has been around for a while and does what the coaches need him to, though he’s had limited opportunities. He has only 13 catches, but for 318 yards and 2 TDs. He’s been almost a non-factor in conference play, however, catching only 5 balls in 4 Big Ten conference games. Wheelright has been by far the most dangerous threat the Gophers have in the passing game, with his good size and ability to get open downfield. He has caught 18 passes for 297 yards and 3 TDs, including scores against Penn State and Michigan. He will probably be the focal point of the Buckeye coverage scheme this week.

Backup Logan Payne is a veteran who has seen plenty of action this year, having caught 19 passes for 268 yards and a score. He hasn’t been much of a factor recently, having caught 2 passes in each of the last 3 games for 25 yards or less. Micah Rucker is fourth on the chart, but has caught only 2 passes this year.

All in all not too much to get excited about here, though one wonders how dangerous Wheelright would be if he were at Michigan State or, gasp, Northwestern.

WR Rating: D

Head-to-Head: Ellerson/Wheelright versus Holmes/Ginn/Gonzalez

Again, statistically, this is no contest. Talent-wise, it isn’t much of a contest either, though Wheelright has plenty of upside, and it would have been nice to see this Columbus product in a Buckeye uniform. He is the only player that poses any real threat in the Gopher passing game, whereas the Buckeyes are loaded with weapons.

Edge: Holmes/Ginn/Gonzalez


Tight Ends
#89 Matt Spaeth (6-6, 270, JR)

Spaeth is the latest in a long line of good Minnesota tight ends, several of whom have gained employment in the NFL. He’s been somewhat limited in the passing game this season, having caught 11 passes for 11 yards and 2 TDs, after catching 24 passes a year ago. Still, he’s caught TDs against Purdue and Wisconsin, and is a big target in the redzone. He’s also a battering ram of a blocker, and will cause the linebackers a few headaches as they pursue the ballcarriers. Spaeth is a big target, a good weapon, and his size makes him an NFL prospect as well.

TE Rating: B+

Head-to-Head: Matt Spaeth versus Ryan Hamby

Spaeth is by far the superior blocker, and given the inconsistency of Hamby’s hands, this is a fairly easy one to handicap.

Edge: Matt Spaeth


Offensive Line
LT #64 Steve Shidell (6-5, 285, SO)
LG #68 Mark Setterstrom (6-3, 295, SR)
C #61 Greg Eslinger (6-3, 285, SR)
RG #60 Mike Nicholson (6-5, 285, SR)
RT #77 Tony Brinkhaus (6-4, 295, SO)

This is a veteran group with plenty of talent and experience, especially in the middle. Eslinger and Setterstrom are previous All-Big Ten selections who execute the team’s zone blocking schemes to near perfection. Nicholson has also stepped up this year. The sophomores at the tackle spots are somewhat less experienced, but they have been solid, especially with the run, for most of the season. The low sack total (3) also indicates that this unit is adept at pass blocking as well, which is important with a QB that has injury problems.

A lot of underclassmen are at the backup spots, including freshman tackle Ryan Ruckdashel, and a pair of sophomore guards, Tommy Jacobs and John Jakel. Veteran Tyson Swaggert is the backup at center.

OL Rating: B

Head-to-Head: Minnesota versus Ohio State

Both of these lines have played solid football for most of the season. Line aficionados will thoroughly enjoy watching Eslinger and Mangold, two of the better centers in the nation, this weekend. The Gophers are somewhat undersized, but that fits with their zone blocking schemes. If they are vulnerable anywhere, it is on the outside at the tackle spots. Both lines are decent, and it is hard to pick one or the other as standing out.

Edge: Push


Offensive Analysis

Another week, another offense with gaudy numbers for the Buckeyes to face ... and in that regard this is just a warm up for the Northwestern contest in 2 weeks. The Gopher offense lives and dies by the run, and they were exposed badly at Penn State, a team that has many similar strengths on defense to what the Buckeyes have ... though the Buckeye run defense is actually better. If the Gophers can’t run, it will be a long day for them, because a mediocre (at best) passing game will not trouble the Buckeyes. Wheelright seems to be the only real weapon in the passing game, so if the Buckeyes can handle the run for most of the game and keep the Gophers from dominating time of possession, it should be a good week for the Buckeyes. Big numbers or not, it’s hard to consider a team that relies on one thing an elite offense ... and in the end, the Gophers are not.

Overall Offensive Rating: B-




2005 Minnesota Golden Gophers Defensive Preview


Returning Starters: 7

Ohio State will look increase their road win streak to 2 games this weekend as they head into the Metrodome to play the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. Minnesota has been inconsistent to this point in the season from a defensive standpoint, which seems to be a trademark of Glen Mason coached ball clubs. Here is where they currently stand from a defensive standpoint.

Points per contest: 25 PPG (5th in Big Ten)

Total yards surrendered: 371 YPG (4th in Big Ten)

Total Passing yards surrendered: 221 YPG (5th in Big Ten)

Total Rushing yards surrendered: 151 YPG (6th in Big Ten)

Defensive sacks: 12 (t-8th in Big Ten)

Red Zone Defense: Give up points 79% of time their opponents get inside their 20 yardline (6th in Big Ten)

Minnesota got their best defensive performance of the year 2 weeks ago in Ann Arbor when they held Michigan to 23 points, and 249 total yards of offense. Furthermore, they held Michigan to under 100 yards rushing (94 Yds). On the flip side, they were absolutely blasted by Penn State earlier this season giving up 44 total points. The Nittany Lions put up 364 yards on the ground in that contest, and went for 539 total yards of offense.

This Minnesota ballclub has given up 23 or more points 5 times this season, including every Big Ten game that they have been in to this point. It’s pretty easy to see that the Gophers have been inconsistent this season.


Defensive Line
DE #92 Steve Davis (6-2, 230, FR)
DT #95 Anthony Montgomery (6-5, 310, SR)
DT #97 Mark Losli (6-6, 295, SR)
DE #99 Keith Lipka (6-3, 265, SR)

Minnesota will be led on the defensive line by freshman end Steve Davis. Davis is having a dynamite rookie campaign for the Gophers, where he leads the team with 5 sacks, and 7 tackles for loss. On the season he has a total of 26 tackles, and 1 QB hurry. Davis is a virtual shoe in for the all Big Ten freshman team this season, and has to be considered one of the best freshman defenders in the whole conference. He isn’t necessarily a huge individual, but has a knack for making big plays.

The other end will be manned by Keith Lipka. On the season Lipka has total of 24 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss. Lipka has also recovered a fumble this season.

On the interior of the defensive line Minnesota will be led by senior Anthony Montgomery. Montgomery has a total of 23 tackles on the season, with 4 being for a loss, and 2 sacks. In addition, he has also forced a fumble from his defensive tackle position. Montgomery is an absolute rock in the middle for the Gophers, he often draws double teams, which opens up the lanes for his linebackers. The other tackle will be held down by senior Mark Losli. On the season Losli has a total of 9 tackles and 1 pass breakup.

Analysis

This unit is average at best. Steve Davis has really come on, and gives Minnesota their only firepower on the front 4. They are experienced, and feature 3 seniors along the line, but really aren’t that dominant. In addition, they have excellent size in the middle, which makes them more effective against the middle running game. They were able to shut down Michigan, but keep in mind the Wolverines were without Michael Hart in that contest. Last week they held Wisconsin to 131 yards on the ground, which is no small feat. But, as I’ve mentioned earlier, inconsistency is the norm on this defense, and it all starts up front.

DL Rating: B-

Head-to-Head: Ohio State vs Minnesota

Minnesota has a total of 12 sacks so far this season. Ohio State matched that number against Michigan State. OSU leads the Big Ten in nearly every major defensive statistic, enough said.

Edge: Ohio State


Linebackers
OLB #46 John Shevlin (6-1, 225, SO)
MLB #58 Mike Sherels (6-0, 235, SO)
OLB #52 Kyle McKenzie (6-1, 235, SR)

Minnesota features a trio of linebackers who occupy 3 of the top 5 spots on the team from a tackling standpoint. Leading the way is sophomore middle backer Mike Sherels. On the season Sherels has a total of 34 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, and 1 sack. Sherels has also picked off a pass this season, and recovered 2 fumbles. Sherels has really come on this season, and is becoming a very steady performer in the middle for the Gophers.

Leading the way at one of the outside backer spots will be sophomore John Shelvin. On the season Shelvin is 2nd on the team with a total of 35 tackles, including 3 for a loss. Shelvin is tied for the Big Ten lead with 3 forced fumbles on the season. He is intelligent, and knows how to find his way to the ball for the Gophers. The other outside linebacker spot will be filled by senior Kyle McKenzie. On the season McKenzie has a total of 32 tackles, including 2 for a loss, and 1 sack.

Analysis

Minnesota has a blend of youth and senority in their pack of linebackers. Fortunately for the Gophers their two best linebackers are only sophomores, which should offer some consistency for the Gophers from a linebacker standpoint in years to come. These guys aren’t flashy, but they make tackles. They have had some good ballgames stopping the run, but seem to get caught up in traffic a bit too much with teams who like to run outside. They are fairly solid in run protection, but do not scare me from a blitzing standpoint.

LB Rating: C+

Head-to-Head: Ohio State vs Minnesota

Minnesota gets consistent play from their bunch of linebackers, but at times have the ability to take over the course of a game like the Buckeye crew can. It’s been well documented how good this Buckeye trio is, with every week you clearly witness how special this unit has become. No comparison in units as a whole.

Edge: Ohio State


Secondary
CB #4 Trumaine Banks (5-11, 185, JR)
FS #34 John Pawielski (5-11, 200, SR)
SS #2 Dominic Jones (5-9, 180, FR)
CB #15 Jamal Harris (6-0, 185, SO)

Minnesota features a secondary that has been pretty consistent so far this season, especially in the Big Ten. They are led by senior John Pawielski at the free safety spot. On the season Pawielski leads the team with 52 tackles, including 4 for a loss. Pawielski has also picked off a pass, and broken up 3 others. Pawielski is a former walk-on, who has gone on to have a very successful career for the Gophers. He is, without a doubt, the leader of this defense, and brings things to the field that cannot be coached. His leadership will be key this week if the Gophers are going to pull the upset. The other safety spot will be held down by freshman Dominic Jones. On the season Jones has a total of 19 tackles. Jones, a Columbus Brookhaven native, will really be playing with a chip on his shoulder this week. He was the division 2 defensive player of the year last season in Ohio, and will be looking to show the Buckeyes what they passed on. On that note, I think he is the weak spot of this Gophers defense, and has probably been rushed to the field this season due to lack of depth in the Gophers secondary. Look for OSU to go after him right way in this contest.

Leading the way for the Gophers at one of the corner spots will be junior Trumaine Banks. Banks has a total of 33 tackles on the season, including 4 for a loss. He is tied for the team lead with 7 pass breakups in addition to his interception. Banks has also forced a fumble on the season. Banks is yet another Columbus guy on this Gopher squad who will be looking to make some noise against his home town team. He has excellent talent, and has been a starter since his freshman year for the Gophers. Banks is probably one of the top 4-5 corners in the Big Ten this season. Holding down the other corner spot for the Golden Gophers will be sophomore Jamal Harris. On the season Harris has a total of 28 tackles, including 0.5 for a loss. Harris is also tied with his counterpart for the team lead with 7 pass breakups.

Analysis

Minnesota is competitive in their secondary, but, not counting Pawielski, they miss a lot of tackles. Banks is turning into an absolute stud at one of the corner spots, but the other spot is a significant drop off for the Golden Gophers. The biggest glaring weakness for the Gophers is freshman Dominic Jones. He has been unproductive for most of this season, and still seems to be awestruck by the speed of D-I football at times. He has the potential to become a great player down the road, but is probably one of the weak spots on this defense presently.

DB Rating: B-

Head-to-Head: Ohio State vs Minnesota

Minnesota is ranked 5th in the conference against the pass, and has given up 7 TD’s on the season. Ohio State leads the Big Ten against the pass surrendering 192 yards per contest, and has given up a Big Ten low 5 touchdown passes. Minnesota starts a few younger guys who don’t have the experience or talent that OSU features in the secondary. OSU easily gets the nod in this category.

Edge: Ohio State


Overall Defensive Analysis

As I have mentioned several times in this preview, this unit is inconsistent. I’m not sure which Minnesota team will show up this week. If the Gophers decide to play the way that they did in Michigan, this defense has the ability to give us fits this week. They aren’t very strong at pressuring the quarterback, but are very solid in the middle against the run. They have a budding star in Banks at corner, and the leadership in their secondary to calm some of the young guys down if they give up big plays. This game will be a hard fought contest, and I’m betting that they’ll get a very good performance by this Minnesota squad. Glen Mason’s teams always seem to play us very hard. Not to mention, this is a road game for us that isn’t being played in Bloomington. This will be a tight ballgame, but the Buckeyes will be too much late in the contest.

Overall Defensive Rating:C+




Predictions
Bucklion's prediction: 31-21, Ohio State
BB73's prediction: 27-17, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 44-21, Ohio State
daddyphatsac's prediction: 24-13, Ohio State
Hubbard's prediction: ??-??, Ohio State
Jaxbuck's prediction: 27-17, Ohio State
LordJeffBuck's prediction: 27-23, Ohio State
3yardsandacloud's prediction: 31-16, Ohio State

Last Week's Results (OSU 41 - Indiana 10)
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual score versus predicted score. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
(94) 3yardsandacloud's prediction: 38-14, Ohio State (3 + 4 = 7 + 87 last week)
(96) Jaxbuck's prediction: 31-14, Ohio State (10 + 4 = 14 + 82 last week)
(97) LordJeffBuck's prediction: 45-17, Ohio State (4 + 7 = 11 + 86 last week)
(104) daddyphatsac's prediction: 38-10, Ohio State (3 + 0 = 3 + 101 last week)
(112) BB73's prediction: 34-17, Ohio State (7 + 7 = 14 + 98 last week)
(135) Hubbard's prediction: ??-??, Ohio State (No prediction = High score (17) + 10 pt penalty = 27 + 108 last week)
(142) Bucklion's prediction: 31-17, Ohio State (10 + 7 = 17 + 125 last week)​
 
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Additional Information

Additional Information


Links

Official Sites:
Official School Site - University of Minnesota
Student Newspaper - The Minnesota Daily
Official Athletic Site - Gopher Sports
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference


Previews/Breakdowns:
Minnesota 2005 Preview - CFN
Minnesota 2005 Offensive Preview - CFN
Minnesota 2005 Defensive Preview - CFN
Minnesota 2005 Further Anaylsis - CFN


Prospectus & Info:
2005 Roster - Gopher Sports
2005 Coaches - Gopher Sports
MINNESOTA Team Report (10/23/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (10/19/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (10/17/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (10/12/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (10/10/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (10/5/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (10/3/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (9/28/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (9/26/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (9/21/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (9/19/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (9/14/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (9/12/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (9/9/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (9/8/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (9/7/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (9/5/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (8/31/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (8/5/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (7/25/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (3/25/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (2/6/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MINNESOTA Team Report (1/3/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)


Travel Info:
Ticket Information - Gopher Sports
Map/Directions - Gopher Sports
MapQuest Directions - Gopher Sports
Seating Chart - Gopher Sports
Visitor Information (Parking, Buses & Maps) - University of Minnesota


Big Ten Info:
2005 Big Ten Football Prospectus - Big Ten
2005 Big Ten Football Prospectus (Full PDF) - Big Ten
2005 Composite Schedule - Big Ten
2005 Composite Schedule (PDF Chart) - Big Ten
2005 Conference/Team Statistics - Big Ten
2005 Television Schedule - Big Ten
2005 Weekly Football Releases - Big Ten
2005 Players of the Week - Big Ten
2005 Officials Roster - Big Ten
2005 Bowl Partners - Big Ten
2005 Method to Determine Automatic Representative to Bowl Championship Series - Big Ten
Big Ten Preview - Part 1 (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan) - CFN
Big Ten Preview - Part 2 (Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State) - CFN
Big Ten Preview - Part 3 (Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin) - CFN
Big Ten Midseason Report - CFN


Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Gopher Sports (Scout)
Message Boards - Gopher Illustrated (Rivals)
Message Boards - Gopher Hole (Independent)
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports


Local News Sources:
Minneapolis Star Tribune - Local News
Twin Cities (Pioneer Press) - Local News



Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Glen Mason 51-45-0 (.531) at Minnesota and 110-109-1 (.502) all-time. Glen is familiar to many Buckeye fans. In addition to playing for the Buckeyes and Woody Hayes in the early 70s, Mason has been in the hunt for the head coaching position at OSU. Most recently, folks will remember Glen being the leading candidate for the OSU job, until another less well-known name cropped up ... Jim Tressel. Few remember that Glen was also holding out for the OSU job in December of 1987. The Bucks took John Cooper and Mason when on to accept the Kansas job. In fact, Glen has somewhat of a history of putting one job on hold to see if a better offer comes along. This has never seemed to bother OSU fans, as it is usually the OSU job Glen is hoping will come along. Makes sense to us. Tends to make other folks angry.

After two seasons as the head coach at Kent, Glen was offered the job at Kansas. He held out for days hoping for the OSU job. Eventually (when OSU hired Cooper) he took the job at Kansas and stayed for 9 seasons (1988-1996), returning that program to respectability. Although in 1995 he accepted the head coaching job at Georgia ... only to change his mind a week later. He returned to Kansas for one lame duck season. In 2000 (as head coach at Minnesota), Glen interviewed for the Michigan State and LSU openings. He followed that up in early 2001 by going for the OSU job. Needless to say, many Minnesotans aren't too pleased with the cavalier attitude Glen shows the school.

Glen Mason has the reputation for turning programs around. He has left each school (Kent, Kansas and Minnesota) better off than he found them. In fact, his five bowl games in six seasons has never been accomplished at Minnesota. He has their only 10 win season since 1903 and their only back-to-back bowl wins ... ever. He is also one of only three coaches to be named conference coach of the year in three different conferences (Big Ten - 1999, Big Eight - 1995, 1991, Mid-American - 1986).

Born in 1950, Glen is a 1972 graduate of Ohio State University. He has been an assistant coach at Allegheny College (73), Ball State (74), Iowa State (75-76), Illinois (77), and Ohio State (78-85). He has been the head coach at Kent (1986-87), Kansas (1988-96) and Minnesota (1997-present).

Assistant Coaches:
Tim Allen, Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Football Operations
Vic Adamle, Running Backs Coach
Moe Ankney, Assistant Head Coach, Outside Linebackers Coach
Carey Bailey, Defensive Line Coach
Mitch Browning, Co-Offensive Coordinator, Tight Ends & Tackles Coach
Kerry Cooks, Defensive Secondary Coach
David Lockwood, Defensive Coordinator, Inside Linebackers Coach
Tony Petersen, Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
Gordon Shaw, Centers and Guards Coach
Luke Tressel, Wide Receivers Coach
Dwayne Chandler, Associate Director, Strength and Conditioning
Shannon Bertram, Assistant Director of Football Operations, Recruiting Coordinator



Rebuild or Reload

Starters Returning: 15 (Offense 8, Defense 7, Special Teams 0)
Lettermen Returning: 35 (Offense 18, Defense 16, Special Teams 1)
Notable Returners:
C - Greg Eslinger
RB - Laurence Maroney

Starters Lost: 9 (Offense 3, Defense 4, Special Teams 2)
Lettermen Lost: 13 (Offense 5, Defense 7, Special Teams 1)


Incoming Recruits:According to Rivals, Minnesota's 2005 recruiting class ranked the 55th best nationally. The highlight of the Golden Gophers' class was LB Alex Daniels from Columbus Brookhaven. Despite being the highest ranked linebacker in the state of Ohio (and the #5 overall prospect in the state), Daniels spurned the hometown school for Minnesota, thus becoming the first offered Ohioan in memory to select Minnesota over Ohio State. Ironically, the top 'backer in Minnesota (and the #4 prospect overall in the state), James Laurinaitis, signed with the Buckeyes after originally issuing a verbal commitment to the Golden Gophers.

Besides Alex Daniels, the Gophers signed four other Ohioans in 2005, including fellow Brookhaven stars CB Dominic Jones (who is starting as a true freshman) and WR Keith Massey; ATH Mike Chambers from Walsh Jesuit; and OL Jason Sekinger from Columbus Westland (who is suffering from an asthmatic condition and is not currently with the program - link). During the Glen Mason era, Minnesota has recruited very well in central Ohio, having signed key back-up RB Gary Russell (Columbus Walnut Ridge) and third-string QB Mike Maciejowski in 2004; starting FB Justin Valentine (Columbus Eastmoor) and starting WR Ernie Wheelright (Columbus Walnut Ridge) in 2003; and starting CB Trumaine Banks (Columbus Eastmoor) and WR Quentin White (Gahanna Lincoln) in 2002. Two other central Ohioans, QB David Wess (Whitehall, class of 2004) and LB Justiss Scales (Columbus Beechcroft, class of 2002), also signed with the Gophers; Wess didn't make his grades and transferred to Cincinnati, and Scales ended up going the JUCO route. Several other Ohio preppers are currently on the Minnesota roster, including starting quarterback Bryan Cupito, who graduated from Cincinnati McNicholas in 2002; and starting DT Anthony Montgomery, who graduated from Cleveland JFK in 2002.

The Golden Gophers got a late bonus to their 2005 recruiting efforts when the number one prospect in the state of Minnesota, Walker Ashley, committed in August. Ashley originally signed with Southern Cal, selecting the Trojans over Ohio State and Penn State, but he was unable to clear admissions at USC. After briefly reconsidering his other top choices, Walker decided to stay close to home and attend the University of Minnesota. He is scheduled to enroll in January, and he will count as part of the Gophers' class of 2006.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers Class of 2005

DL Walker Ashley, Eden Prairie, Minnesota (6' 5", 285 lbs, 4.9 forty); Rivals 4* (#1 in Minnesota); Scout 4*
DB Jeff Brooks, Miami Killian (5' 10", 185 lbs, 4.39 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
ATH Mike Chambers, Walsh Jesuit (6' 0", 175 lbs, 4.72 forty); Rivals 3* (#28 in Ohio); Scout 2*
WR Richard Christy, Miami Killian (5' 10", 160 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
DB Boyd Coleman, Marietta (Georgia) Wheeler (5' 11", 170 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
ATH Alex Daniels, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 2", 219 lbs, 4.59 forty); Rivals 4* (#5 in Ohio); Scout 4*
LB Steve Davis, Florissant (Missouri) McCluer North (6' 3", 225 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 3* (#13 in Missouri); Scout 3*
WR Eric Decker, Cold Spring (Minnesota) Rocori (6' 3", 195 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
OL Otis Hudson, Barrington, Illinois (6' 5", 287 lbs, 4.9 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
DB Dominic Jones, Columbus Brookhaven (5' 8", 177 lbs, 4.41 forty); Rivals 3* (#23 in Ohio); Scout 2*
QB Marcel Jones, Shakopee (Minnesota) Simley (6' 4", 205 lbs, 4.65 forty); Rivals 3* (#6 in Minnesota); Scout 2*
ATH Keith Massey, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 0", 186 lbs, 4.52 forty); Rivals 3* (#29 in Ohio); Scout 2*
DB Michael McKelton, West Palm Beach (Florida) Royal Palm Beach (5' 11", 172 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
TE Chris Mensen, Solon, Iowa (6' 6", 235 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
TE Troy Reilly, Stevens Point, Wisconsin (6' 7", 235 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 3*
OL Ryan Ruckdashel, Apple Valley (Minnesota) Eastview (6' 5", 254 lbs, 5.28 forty); Rivals 3* (#9 in Minnesota); Scout 3*
OL Jason Sekinger, Columbus Westland (6' 9", 310 lbs, 5.4 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
DE Matt Stommes, Eden Valley (Minnesota) Watkins (6' 7", 235 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
OL Ned Tavale, St. Paul Cretin-Derham Hall (6' 3", 305 lbs); Rivals 3* (#7 in Minnesota); Scout 3*
RB Jay Thomas, Oakdale (Minnesota) Tartan (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.56 forty); Rivals 3* (#8 in Minnesota); Scout 2*
LB Nate Triplett, Delano, Minnesota (6' 3", 220 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3* (#5 in Minnesota); Scout 3*

Counting Walker Ashley, Minnesota already has ten commitments for its class of 2006, including Shoreview (Minnesota) Mounds View dual-threat quarterback Adam Weber, who camped at Ohio State this summer (but did not earn an offer) and had the Bucks as one of his leaders; and Kenton, Ohio offensive lineman D.J. Burris.




Historical Data

University of Minnesota: Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN) Founded 1851

Football 1st Season: 1882

Stadium: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (1982), 63,669
Conference: Independent from 1882-1895, Big Ten Conference since 1896
Colors: Maroon and Gold
Mascot: Gopher (Goldy)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)

Conference Championships: 7 Outright Big Ten Championships (most recent in 1941) and 9 Co-Championships (most recent in 1967).

National Championships: The Gophers have six recognized national championships: 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, and 1960; some also credit Minnesota with a national championship for 1904, when the Golden Gophers went 13-0. However, in the 45 years since their last national title, the Gophers' overall record is only 225-256-8 (.468 winning pct), with a lone shared Big Ten championship and no appearances in any major bowl games.

Factoid: Former Buckeye great Wes Fesler was the head coach at Minnesota from 1951 through 1953; he compiled a 10-13-4 record during that span (.444 winning percentage). As a player for the scarlet and grey, Fesler was a three-time All-American at end (1928-1930); he later coached the Buckeyes for four seasons (1947-1950), during which time his overall record was 21-13-3 (.606 winning pct), with a Big Ten Championship (1949) and a Rose Bowl crown (1950).

Consensus All-Americans: 27
College Hall-of-Famers: 20 (including tackle Bobby Bell, fullback Bronko Nagurski, and lineman Leo Nomellini.
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 5 - Bobby Bell, Carl Eller, Bud Grant, Bronko Nagurski, Leo Nomellini
Award Winners: 1 COY (AFCA, Eddie Robinson, Bear Bryant), 1 Heisman (RB Bruce Smith in 1941), 2 Outlands, and 1 Thorpe Award
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-14 years, Coaches-9 years



Inside the Numbers

Number 1 Rushing Offense:::Number 1 Rushing Defense

Something's Gotta Give

Will the Buckeyes keep their #1 ranking? Will the Gophers? Will both teams get knocked from their perch? How you answer these questions probably depends on how you answer the following:
  1. Are you a Gopher or a Buckeye?
  2. Are you an optimist?
So much for the fans. What do the spreadsheets have to say about this clash of the titans?

The most objective comparison is probably to pit OSU's Differential Rush Defense vs. Minnesota's Differential Rush Offense. In other words: Which is greater, the amount Minnesota rushes for ABOVE THEIR OPPONENTS' average rushing defense (outside of their games against Minnesota), or the amount the OSU defense holds teams BELOW their average rushing offense (outside of their games against OSU)?

Both number can be expressed in terms of yards and percentages, with very different implications, as you will see.

Minnesota Rushing Offense

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 463pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=615 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 65pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3145" width=86><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64><COL style="WIDTH: 53pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2560" span=2 width=70><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64><COL style="WIDTH: 52pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2523" width=69><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" span=3 width=64><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 65pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=86 height=17></TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 398pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=529 colSpan=8>
Opponents Rushing Defense

</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17></TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" colSpan=4>
Rush/Game

</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" colSpan=4>
Rush/Carry

</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17></TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
ypg

</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
vs Minn

</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
Diff. Yds.

</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
Diff. %

</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
ypc

</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
vs Minn

</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
Diff. Yds.

</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
Diff. %

</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Tulsa</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>137.50</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>301.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=C4-B4">163.50</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.189090909090909" x:fmla="=C4/B4">218.91%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.8947368421052633" x:fmla="=(1126-301)/(329-44)">2.89</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="6.8409090909090908" x:fmla="=C4/44">6.84</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.9461722488038276" x:fmla="=G4-F4">3.95</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.3632231404958675" x:fmla="=G4/F4">236.32%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Colorado St.</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="172.33333333333334">172.33</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>355.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="182.66666666666666" x:fmla="=C5-B5">182.67</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.0599613152804639" x:fmla="=C5/B5">206.00%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="4.4761904761904763" x:fmla="=(1389-355)/(290-59)">4.48</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="6.0169491525423728" x:fmla="=C5/59">6.02</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.5407586763518966" x:fmla="=G5-F5">1.54</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.344212044716913" x:fmla="=G5/F5">134.42%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Florida Atl.</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="215.85714285714286">215.86</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>349.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="133.14285714285714" x:fmla="=C6-B6">133.14</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.6168100595632031" x:fmla="=C6/B6">161.68%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="4.8899676375404528" x:fmla="=(1860-349)/(357-48)">4.89</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="7.270833333333333" x:fmla="=C6/48">7.27</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.3808656957928802" x:fmla="=G6-F6">2.38</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.4868878226340172" x:fmla="=G6/F6">148.69%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Purdue</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>93.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>301.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=C7-B7">208.00</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.236559139784946" x:fmla="=C7/B7">323.66%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.6826923076923075" x:fmla="=(859-301)/(276-68)">2.68</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="4.4264705882352944" x:fmla="=C7/68">4.43</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.7437782805429869" x:fmla="=G7-F7">1.74</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.6500105418511493" x:fmla="=G7/F7">165.00%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Penn State</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="100.71428571428571">100.71</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>113.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="12.285714285714292" x:fmla="=C8-B8">12.29</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.1219858156028371" x:fmla="=C8/B8">112.20%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=(818-113)/(314-32)">2.50</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.53125" x:fmla="=C8/32">3.53</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.03125" x:fmla="=G8-F8">1.03</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.4125000000000001" x:fmla="=G8/F8">141.25%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Michigan</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="137.57142857142858">137.57</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>264.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="126.42857142857142" x:fmla="=C9-B9">126.43</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.9190031152647973" x:fmla="=C9/B9">191.90%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.76171875" x:fmla="=(1227-264)/(313-57)">3.76</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="4.6315789473684212" x:fmla="=C9/57">4.63</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.86986019736842124" x:fmla="=G9-F9">0.87</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.2312400940044816" x:fmla="=G9/F9">123.12%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Wisconsin</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="130.85714285714286">130.86</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>411.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="280.14285714285711" x:fmla="=C10-B10">280.14</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.140829694323144" x:fmla="=C10/B10">314.08%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.9145299145299144" x:fmla="=(1327-411)/(297-63)">3.91</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="6.5238095238095237" x:fmla="=C10/63">6.52</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.6092796092796093" x:fmla="=G10-F10">2.61</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.6665626949469745" x:fmla="=G10/F10">166.66%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>YTD Total</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="141.11904761904762" x:fmla="=AVERAGE(B4:B10)">141.12</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="299.14285714285717" x:fmla="=AVERAGE(C4:C10)">299.14</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="158.02380952380955" x:fmla="=C11-B11">158.02</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.1197907879196896" x:fmla="=C11/B11">211.98%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.6077562326869805" x:fmla="=(8606-SUM(C4:C10))/(2176-371)">3.61</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="5.6442048517520211" x:fmla="=SUM(C4:C10)/371">5.64</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.0364486190650406" x:fmla="=G11-F11">2.04</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.5644640290866705" x:fmla="=G11/F11">156.45%</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



Ohio State Rushing Defense

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 446pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=594 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 62pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2998" width=82><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" span=8 width=64><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 62pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=82 height=17></TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 384pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=512 colSpan=8>
Opponents Rushing Offense


</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17></TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" colSpan=4>
Rush/Game


</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" colSpan=4>
Rush/Carry


</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17></TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
ypg


</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
vs OSU


</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
Diff. Yds.


</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
Diff. %


</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
ypc


</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
vs OSU


</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
Diff. Yds.


</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
Diff. %


</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Miami</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="179.66666666666666">179.67</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>48.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="131.66666666666666" x:fmla="=B4-C4">131.67</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.26716141001855287" x:fmla="=C4/B4">26.72%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="4.6465517241379306">4.65</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>1.60</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.0465517241379305" x:fmla="=F4-G4">3.05</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.34434137291280154" x:fmla="=G4/F4">34.43%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Texas</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="280.16666666666669">280.17</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>112.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="168.16666666666669" x:fmla="=B5-C5">168.17</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.39976204640095181" x:fmla="=C5/B5">39.98%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="6.0905797101449277">6.09</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.9473684210526314">2.95</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.1432112890922963" x:fmla="=F5-G5">3.14</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.48392247722220477" x:fmla="=G5/F5">48.39%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>SDSU</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="155.57142857142858">155.57</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>13.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="142.57142857142858" x:fmla="=B6-C6">142.57</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="8.356290174471992E-2" x:fmla="=C6/B6">8.36%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.8210526315789473">3.82</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.68421052631578949">0.68</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.1368421052631579" x:fmla="=F6-G6">3.14</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.1790633608815427" x:fmla="=G6/F6">17.91%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Iowa</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="203.28571428571428">203.29</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>-9.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="212.28571428571428" x:fmla="=B7-C7">212.29</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="-4.4272663387210122E-2" x:fmla="=C7/B7">-4.43%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="5.1187050359712227">5.12</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>-0.50</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="5.6187050359712227" x:fmla="=F7-G7">5.62</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.0976999999999999" x:fmla="=1.0977">109.77%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>PSU</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="217.85714285714286">217.86</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>117.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="100.85714285714286" x:fmla="=B8-C8">100.86</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.53704918032786886" x:fmla="=C8/B8">53.70%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.8125503000758814">3.81</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.1621621621621623">3.16</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.65038813791371908" x:fmla="=F8-G8">0.65</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.82940864074612353" x:fmla="=G8/F8">82.94%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>MSU</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="241.83333333333334">241.83</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>116.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="125.83333333333334" x:fmla="=B9-C9">125.83</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.47966919365954513" x:fmla="=C9/B9">47.97%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="5.5807692307692296">5.58</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.2745098039215685">2.27</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.3062594268476611" x:fmla="=F9-G9">3.31</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.4075620599721626" x:fmla="=G9/F9">40.76%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Indiana</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="157.33333333333334">157.33</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num>42.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="115.33333333333334" x:fmla="=B10-C10">115.33</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.26694915254237289" x:fmla="=C10/B10">26.69%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="3.5757575757575757">3.58</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.6153846153846154">1.62</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="1.9603729603729603" x:fmla="=F10-G10">1.96</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.45176010430247721" x:fmla="=G10/F10">45.18%</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>YTD AVG.</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="205.10204081632651" x:fmla="=AVERAGE(B4:B10)">205.10</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="62.714285714285715" x:fmla="=AVERAGE(C4:C10)">62.71</TD><TD class=xl26 title="Big Grin" style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right alt="" border="0" x:num="142.38775510204081" x:fmla="=AVERAGE(D4:biggrin:142.39</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.30577114427860702" x:fmla="=C11/B11">30.58%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="4.9097222222222223" x:fmla="=(9630-439)/(2091-219)">4.91</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.0045662100456623" x:fmla="=439/219">2.00</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="2.9051560121765601" x:fmla="=F11-G11">2.91</TD><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="0.40828505551142202" x:fmla="=G11/F11">40.83%</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Analysis:

The Good

Ohio State wins the Yards/Carry comparison 2.91 to 2.04



The Bad

Minnesota wins the Yards/Game comparison 158.02 to 142.39



The Ugly

When you compare OSU away games to Minnesota home games...
Trust me you don't even want to see those numbers.



I am going to dismiss the home/away comparison for two reasons.
  1. The Penn State game was an aberration
  2. Minnesota's home field advantage is suspect
These two can actually be taken together by observing that the HHH Metrodome is unlikely to be magically transformed into a Beaver Stadium style nut house any time soon.

Consider this, Friday marks the 16th anniversary of the biggest comeback in Buckeye history. On October 28th, 1989, Greg Frey brought the Buck's all the way back from a 31-0 deficit to beat the Gophers 41-37 in the very same venue where the teams will play on Saturday. That simply does not happen if anything remotely resembling a home-field advantage exists. Nothing has happened in the past 16 years to change the "Metronome's" reputation. It seems unlikely that a few more days will do what 16 years could not.

The Buckeye's held up well on the road last week, and Minneapolis is more likely to resemble Bloomington than Happy Valley in many ways.


Breakdown:

A popular way to compare an offense and a defense is to take each unit's average and add/subtract the other unit's differential ypg. For the OSU/Minnesota rushing comparison, this is the result:

Minnesota Offense - OSU diff. D:___156.75 yards
OSU Defense + Minnesota diff. O:__220.73 yards

It would be difficult for ANY Buckeye fan to swallow any number in that range. But there is no reason why they should.

A much more effective predictor of offensive output is to MULTIPLY each team's average by the other team's differential PERCENTAGE. There are various reasons for this that bear the dual distinction of being very complicated and not at all interesting. The simple way to put it is that using percentages inherently factors in Strength of Schedule. So let's see how this changes our comparison.

Minnesota Offense * OSU diff. %____91.47 yards
OSU Defense * Minnesota diff. %___132.93 yards

Clearly these are much more palatable numbers for Ohio State fans. If the Buckeyes hold Lawrence Maroney and Friends to any number within this range, this will be a blow-out.

One could even argue that the OSU offense and special teams will generate a lead and control the ball, thus helping to keep Maroney's carries below 30, possibly even below 25. If that happens, and maybe even if it doesn't, OSU can hold on to the #1 spot in rushing defense.

Oklahoma, currently at number 3 in rushing defense, is playing the 96th ranked rushing offense (Nebraska). Even at #3 however, they are so far behind that they need to hold Nebraska more than 112 yards below what OSU holds Minnesota to. That is very unlikely. Don't even get me started on Kansas (#2) vs. Missouri.

Other Numbers to Consider:

Sacks By:
OHIO STATE: 31 - 195 yds (#1 in Big 10)
MINNESOTA: 12 - 69 yds

Sacks Against:
OHIO STATE: 14 - 81 yards
MINNESOTA: 3 - 17 yards (#1 in Big 10)

Again, it's the best vs. the best when OSU is on D. Cupito is not accustomed to the necessity to throw, or to intense pressure. Look for him to have a melt-down Tate style.



3rd Down Conversions:
OHIO STATE: 44.8%
MINNESOTA: 50.9% (#1 in Big-10)

Opponent 3rd Down Conversions:
OHIO STATE: 25.3% (#1 in Big-10)
MINNESOTA: 40.7%

Again, best vs best. As intense as the Minne O vs. OSU D 3rd down matchup is going to be, watch for the OSU's 3rd down performance to have a bigger impact on the game.


Finally, here's one that figures to tip the balance in Ohio States favor by early in the 2nd quarter:


Net Punting:
OHIO STATE: 40.9 yards
MINNESOTA: 33.7 yards

Punt Returns:
OHIO STATE: 12.2 yards
MINNESOTA: 10.8 yards

Nine yards per possession will catch up with the Gophers.



There isn't much I can say after DBB hit the nail so firmly on the head. Everyone knows this game will just be a matter of stopping the Minny running game and the above data explains that in significant detail.

I will point out something as food for thought. OSU's record under JT based on the net rushing total of opponents. The data is through last weeks game.

Code:
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 240pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=319 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 104pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5046" width=138><COL style="WIDTH: 88pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4278" width=117><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; WIDTH: 104pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=138 height=17>[FONT=Arial]Through 10/22/05[/FONT]</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; WIDTH: 88pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=117>[FONT=Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=64>[FONT=Arial][/FONT]</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>[B][U][FONT=Arial]opp rushing yards[/FONT][/U][/B]</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">[B][U][FONT=Arial]overall record[/FONT][/U][/B]</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">[B][U][FONT=Arial]win %[/FONT][/U][/B]</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>[FONT=Arial]0-100[/FONT]</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">[FONT=Arial]27 and 1[/FONT]</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="0.96399999999999997">[FONT=Arial]0.964[/FONT]</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>[FONT=Arial]100-150[/FONT]</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">[FONT=Arial]10 and 8[/FONT]</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="0.55600000000000005">[FONT=Arial]0.556[/FONT]</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>[FONT=Arial]151-199[/FONT]</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">[FONT=Arial]7 and 3[/FONT]</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>[FONT=Arial]0.700[/FONT]</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>[FONT=Arial]200 +[/FONT]</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">[FONT=Arial]1 and 1[/FONT]</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>[FONT=Arial]0.500[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

The only other stat that jumps out at me that wasn't mentioned above is Cupito and his 10:6 TD/INT ratio. He's TO prone and God knows we're due to have a game on the plus side of that particular ledger.​




Records

All Time: 613-427-44 (.586)

Bowl Games: 5-5-0 (.500) Most recently a 20 to 16 win over Alabama in the 2004 Music City Bowl

All Time vs the BigTen: 309-324-28 (.489) versus teams with conference membership at time of game.

All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 7-37-0 (.159) Most recently a 34 to 3 loss at Columbus in 2002. Minnesota only has 2 wins in their last 32 meetings versus the Buckeyes.

Last Season: Minnesota finished 7-5-0 (.583)
W - Toledo (OH) (63-21)
W - Illinois St. (37-21)
W - Colorado St. (34-16)
W - Northwestern (IL) (43-17)
W - Penn St. (16-7)
L - Michigan (24-27)
L - Michigan St. (17-51)
W - Illinois (45-0)
L - Indiana (21-30)
L - Wisconsin (14-38)
L - Iowa (27-29)
W - Alabama (20-16) Music City Bowl

Last 5 Years: 35-26-0 (.574)

Last 10 Years: 58-60-0 (.492)




Preseason Rankings
23 - CFN
25 - NationalChamps.net
30 - Football.com (Fierce 40)




Preseason Watch Lists

2005 Lott Trophy Watch List

2005 Lombardi Award Watch List
C - Greg Eslinger

2005 Bronko Nagurski Watch List

2005 Outland Trophy Watch List
C - Greg Eslinger
OL - Mark Setterstrom

2005 Rimington Award Watch List
C - Greg Eslinger

2005 Ted Hendricks Award Watch List

2005 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

2005 John Mackey Award Watch List

2005 Maxwell Award Watch List

2005 Benarik Award Watch List

2005 Lou Groza Award Watch List

2005 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
RB - Laurence Maroney

2005 Biletnikoff Award Watch List

2005 Davey O'Brien Award Watch List

2005 Butkus Award Watch List

2005 Johnny Unitas Award Watch List

2005 Doak Walker Award Watch List

2005 Ray Guy Award Watch List

2005 Sammy Baugh Award Watch List

2005 Heisman Trophy Award Watch List




Preseason Conference Accolades

2005 BigTen Football Media Day

2005 BigTen Media Poll - only the top 3 were listed
1. Michigan
2. Ohio State
3. Iowa

2005 BigTen Offensive Player of the Year
Drew Tate, QB, Iowa

2005 BigTen Defensive Player of the Year
A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State




Big Ten Conference Players of the Week

Sept. 3, 2005 (Week 1)
OFFENSE: RB - Brian Calhoun, Wisconsin
DEFENSE: LB - John Pannozzo, Indiana
SPECIAL TEAMS: P - Jeremy Kapinos, Penn State

Sept. 10, 2005 (Week 2)
OFFENSE: RB - Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
DEFENSE: LB - A.J. Hawk, Ohio State
CO-SPECIAL TEAMS: PR - Marquice Cole, Northwestern & Brandon Williams, Wisconsin

Sept. 17, 2005 (Week 3)
OFFENSE: RB - Drew Stanton, Michigan State
DEFENSE: LB - Chad Greenway, Iowa
SPECIAL TEAMS: P - Ken DeBauche, Wisconsin

Sept. 24, 2005 (Week 4)
CO-OFFENSE: QB - Drew Stanton, Michigan State & RB - Laurence Maroney, Minnesota
DEFENSE: LB - Paul Posluszny, Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS: K - Joel Howells, Northwestern

Oct. 1, 2005 (Week 5)
OFFENSE: RB - Mike Hart, Michigan
CO-DEFENSE: LB - Abdul Hodge, Iowa & LB - Paul Posluszny, Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS: KR/PR - Brandon Williams, Wisconsin

Oct. 8, 2005 (Week 6)
OFFENSE: QB Brett Basanez, Northwestern
CO-DEFENSE: LB Tim McGarigle, Northwestern & LB Paul Posluszny, Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Jason Giannini, Minnesota

Oct. 15, 2005 (Week 7)
OFFENSE: QB - Brett Basanez, Northwestern
DEFENSE: LB - Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State
SPECIAL TEAMS: PR/KR - Steve Breaston, Michigan & CB - Ashton Youboty, Ohio State

Oct. 22, 2005 (Week 8)
OFFENSE: QB - Michael Robinson, Penn State
DEFENSE: S - Herschel Henderson, Northwestern
SPECIAL TEAMS: KR/PR - Ted Ginn, Jr., Ohio State




NOTES OF INTEREST

Minnesota became known as the 'Gopher State' in 1857, the result of a political cartoon ridiculing the $5 million Railroad Loan which helped open up the West. The cartoon portrayed shifty railroad barons as striped gophers pulling a railroad car carrying the Territorial Legislature toward the "Slough of Despond". The first U of M yearbook bearing the name "Gopher Annual" appeared in 1887.

Minnesota's athletic teamas became widely known as the "Gophers", but it was not until 1934 that the immortal Halsey Hall, great Minnesota sportswriter and broadcaster, dubbed Bernie Bierman's all-gold uniformed team "The Golden Gophers". (Bierman chose the gold color because the football blended in with the uniforms!).

The embodiment of the Gopher mascot came to life in 1952 when assistant bandmaster Jerome Glass bought a fuzzy wool suit and asked technology junior Jim Anderson climb into it.

"They took the guy who couldn't march or play and put him where he wouldn't do any harm," commented Anderson.



Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
Two Cousins College Football Emporium - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data
Big 10 Conference Official Site - Data
NCAA Official Stat Site - Data
 
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