34°Five things: OSU vs. Minnesota
01:54 PM
Oct 21
2009
Oct 21
2009
Five things to watch for:
1. OSU leads the series 41-7 with six straight wins and 22 of 23.
2. The Buckeyes are ranked first at 26 yards per kickoff return, while Minnesota sits second at 25.8.
3. The Golden Gophers are tied for fourth in redzone offense, while the Buckeyes check in 10th.
4. Since 2001, OSU is 51-0 when scoring more than 30 points.
5. The Buckeyes are 18-2 in games following a loss.
OSU wins 24-7
It’s been a long week in Columbus for The Ohio State University.
The Buckeyes lost 26-18 to Purdue, a team with just one win entering the contest.
The aftermath is continuing.
The whole program has taken heat this week, especially coach Jim Tressel and quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
The Buckeyes have had some bad losses over the years, including two BCS National Championship Series game, twice to Southern California, Texas and Penn State and Illinois, among others.
Saturday ranks right up there, because the Boilermakers dominated OSU. Forget the final margin, Purdue was control on both sides of the ball and on special teams.
This season at first had the feeling of 2005 which included a close loss to a non-conference foe early (Texas) and a defeat by a Big Ten team midway through (Penn State).
OSU rallied to win seven straight and capture the Fiesta Bowl over Notre Dame, which ironically, is the last bowl the Buckeyes have won.
Now, this seems like 2004 in which the Buckeyes went 8-4 and 4-4 with three straight Big Ten losses.
OSU hasn’t reached the loss total yet, but this team is at a crossroads.
Unless serious improvement is made, the Buckeyes face 10 or less wins for the first time since 2004.
As OSU prepares to face Minnesota Saturday, the Buckeyes have more questions, especially with Pryor.
Among 120 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision, OSU is ranked 91st in total offense at 331 yards per game; 101st in passing at 174 and 85th in interception (eight for the season).
What is Tressel to do with his highly-touted sophomore quarterback?
Put him on the bench?
The other options are Joe Bauserman, who is 7-of-14 in two seasons passing for 64 yards; true freshman Kenny Guiton and redshirt freshman Justin Siems.
Believe it or not, Pryor is his best option. He has that type of ability, but it just hasn’t been there on a consistent basis.
In contrast, the Golden Gophers have an established signal-caller in Adam Weber, who is averaging 189.3 yards per outing. His favorite target is wide receiver Eric Decker, who leads the Big Ten at 104.4 yards per game.
Minnesota defenders Lee Campbell and Nate Triplett are second and third in the Big Ten in tackles at 77 and 70, respectively.
The Gophers are still in the building process under coach Tim Brewster. They’ve downed Northwestern 35-24 and Purdue 35-20 in the Big Ten, but dropped decisions to Penn State 20-0 and Wisconsin 31-28 also.
I don’t know if any fan knows what to expect Saturday.
The fans are frustrated over the happenings of the last few seasons, not just with this season, but the losses in big games. Throw in a performance like Saturday and it’s further magnified.
I do expect the defense to bounce back, but there’s much concern with the offensive unit. It’s game No. 8 this season, but it seems like No. 20.
1. OSU leads the series 41-7 with six straight wins and 22 of 23.
2. The Buckeyes are ranked first at 26 yards per kickoff return, while Minnesota sits second at 25.8.
3. The Golden Gophers are tied for fourth in redzone offense, while the Buckeyes check in 10th.
4. Since 2001, OSU is 51-0 when scoring more than 30 points.
5. The Buckeyes are 18-2 in games following a loss.
OSU wins 24-7
It’s been a long week in Columbus for The Ohio State University.
The Buckeyes lost 26-18 to Purdue, a team with just one win entering the contest.
The aftermath is continuing.
The whole program has taken heat this week, especially coach Jim Tressel and quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
The Buckeyes have had some bad losses over the years, including two BCS National Championship Series game, twice to Southern California, Texas and Penn State and Illinois, among others.
Saturday ranks right up there, because the Boilermakers dominated OSU. Forget the final margin, Purdue was control on both sides of the ball and on special teams.
This season at first had the feeling of 2005 which included a close loss to a non-conference foe early (Texas) and a defeat by a Big Ten team midway through (Penn State).
OSU rallied to win seven straight and capture the Fiesta Bowl over Notre Dame, which ironically, is the last bowl the Buckeyes have won.
Now, this seems like 2004 in which the Buckeyes went 8-4 and 4-4 with three straight Big Ten losses.
OSU hasn’t reached the loss total yet, but this team is at a crossroads.
Unless serious improvement is made, the Buckeyes face 10 or less wins for the first time since 2004.
As OSU prepares to face Minnesota Saturday, the Buckeyes have more questions, especially with Pryor.
Among 120 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision, OSU is ranked 91st in total offense at 331 yards per game; 101st in passing at 174 and 85th in interception (eight for the season).
What is Tressel to do with his highly-touted sophomore quarterback?
Put him on the bench?
The other options are Joe Bauserman, who is 7-of-14 in two seasons passing for 64 yards; true freshman Kenny Guiton and redshirt freshman Justin Siems.
Believe it or not, Pryor is his best option. He has that type of ability, but it just hasn’t been there on a consistent basis.
In contrast, the Golden Gophers have an established signal-caller in Adam Weber, who is averaging 189.3 yards per outing. His favorite target is wide receiver Eric Decker, who leads the Big Ten at 104.4 yards per game.
Minnesota defenders Lee Campbell and Nate Triplett are second and third in the Big Ten in tackles at 77 and 70, respectively.
The Gophers are still in the building process under coach Tim Brewster. They’ve downed Northwestern 35-24 and Purdue 35-20 in the Big Ten, but dropped decisions to Penn State 20-0 and Wisconsin 31-28 also.
I don’t know if any fan knows what to expect Saturday.
The fans are frustrated over the happenings of the last few seasons, not just with this season, but the losses in big games. Throw in a performance like Saturday and it’s further magnified.
I do expect the defense to bounce back, but there’s much concern with the offensive unit. It’s game No. 8 this season, but it seems like No. 20.
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