Minnesota Golden Gophers

Is it just me, or will this post be nearly identical to last week's? In looking at the stats, Minnesota is nearly identical to the Hoosiers.

Let's start with their defense: 96th v. the run, 86th v. the pass, 97th overall, and 66th in scoring - giving up 23 points per game. That is after playing Div II North Dakota State last week, at home, and only winning 10-9. Minnesota has been a road dog twice this year and failed to show up. They lost 42-17 at Cal, and 48-12 at Wisconsin. They were a road favorite at Purdue but lost 27-21.

On offense, we all expect Minnesota to have a great running back (or two) and control the game by controlling the clock. Well, this is not that Minnesota team. Their offensive numbers are not atrocious: 38th in rushing, 64th in passing, 49th overall and 48th in scoring. What that means is they gain 10 less on the ground than OSU, 40 less through the air, 50 total, and 9 points fewer. They are 111th in TOP (27:30), and a miserable 97th in 3rd down conversions (33.3%).

The line is currently Ohio State by 27. I think Vegas has finally gotten wise to the fact that Tressel is not going to post 40 points per game, let alone 50. The over/under has been reduced to 50 (as opposed to past games of 55, 56). I always thought Minnesota gave us trouble, but Ohio State is 31-2 v. the Gophers since 1969. I guess it is because the games in the Metrodome are always close and Mason led his team to that 29-17 upset of 2000 at the Shoe. Aside from that one Cooper debacle, the Buckeyes have POUNDED the Gophers in Columbus: 34-3 (2002); 45-15 (1998); 45-0 (1996); 52-23 (1990); 42-9 (1987); 33-0 (1986); and 69-0 (1983) - I could go on but why?

I think the Buckeyes will break out of their typical pattern of starting slow and revving up in the 2nd and 3rd. The reason is that our offense is converting 50% of our 3rd down plays (10th in the nation), while Minnesota's defense allows opponents to convert 44.1% (99th). In short, they won't be able to get us off the field.

MTB says:

Minnesota 0 3 0 7 - 10
Ohio State 10 14 10 3 - 37