I think wind has more effect on the passing and kicking games than cold. It's going to be cold in Ohio this week too. Highs in the 30's, lows in the 20's at night. It's not like we are coming from Florida and they are in the arctic circle. So, this weather thing is probably being overblown, but I do think wind and/or snow could be factors.
For all those Gophers I suspect are peeking over here: It doesn't matter whether we respect Minny or not - has no impact on the game whatsoever. What Buckeye players and coaches have rolling around in their heads does. They seem to respect all of their opponents. Our coaching staff does a great job of seeing where they have good match ups, exploiting weaknesses, and coming up with great game plans on both sides of the ball. The players execute those plans with varying degrees of success. Against MSU, they appeared to do exactly what they had planned to do.
I say this as a matter of fact: Ohio State has the better athletes, more speed in particular, and the more accomplished coaching staff. That puts Minny at a significant disadvantage.
Minny has the home field, and maybe the weather could work to their advantage by making OSU one dimensional and/or leading to turnovers. Any chance of winning against the Buckeyes will involve turnovers at bad spots on the field. On the other hand, the weather could do the same to Minny.
The biggest advantage the Gophers have is their overall record against the Bucks. What? 7-43, or something like that, going back to 1921? The Gophers are due, but otherwise:
The Ohio State University 48
The tolerable Mi school 17
