Michael Smith
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Ohio State vs Minnesota Preview, What will happen?
Michael Smith via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Hello everyone and welcome back as I preview this week’s game. This Saturday night, Ohio State will host the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Even though Ohio State had a bye last week, both teams come off a week full of happenings.
By now everyone knows the J.T. Barrett story. Saturday morning we woke up to news that he had been stopped for OVI and would be suspended for the Minnesota game.
Let me first say that we all know how poor of choice it is to drink and get behind the wheel. Its very dangerous and J.T. is very lucky here. Not only could his punishment — either by Ohio State or the law be much worse, he could’ve hurt himself or God forbid, someone else.
I realize the effect on the team is a lot less in terms of priority but let’s also be honest here. Ohio State is coming off the Rutgers game and with J.T. at quarterback, this offense was ready to start steam rolling people.
The offense looked the best it had all year versus Rutgers.
Now we must fully support Cardale Jones, as he will be the starting signal caller this Saturday. The backup quarterback, one Braxton Miller.
I honestly would start Miller at QB if I was the head coach, but I’m not. Talk about throwing the other team for a loop.
Now Minnesota comes in down, real down.
If you have been under a rock the last week, Minnesota not only lost a tough heartbreaking game, and their coach Jerry Kill. Who retired due to health reasons.
Minnesota took on ttun last week at home and in a very emotional game. Down 3 with 19 seconds left and on the ttun 1 yard line something went terribly wrong for the Gophers.
First, with the clock running, they failed to get off a play in a timely manner, leaving only 2 seconds left to run another play. Instead of going for the tie, they went for the win and ran a QB sneak, which everyone and their brother saw coming.
In the end, ttun held and Minnesota lost a heart breaker 29-26.
Now Minnesota must regroup and come into Columbus to face a fresh Ohio State team.
Minnesota comes into the game a little offensive challenged. They have a balanced attack on offense but don’t put up a lot of points or yards.
Minnesota only averages 21 points a game and 365 yards a game total on offense this year.
They’ve struggled to put points on the board against the likes of Kent State, Colorado State, and Northwestern.
Their main offensive weapons is QB Mitch Leidner who has thrown for nearly 1700 yards this year, with 8 TDS and 6 INTS. Their main RB is Rodney Smith, however, he has struggled this year only averaging 4.3 yards a carry. Their best WR is KJ Maye, who has 39 catches on the year and 3 TDs.
Minnesota runs a tradition offense, no spread or anything fancy.
Ohio State’s defense really started to click against Rutgers as well. They completely shut down Rutgers who actually does have some play makers on offense.
Ohio State’s defensive line should be able to get pressure on Leidner, who has been sacked 11 times this year. Look for Bosa and company to be in his face for much of the game.
They also got a major boost this week as suspended DB Damon Webb returned this week and is expected to play this Saturday against the Gophers.
This is huge for a Buckeye secondary which, due to injuries, has gotten a little thin at depth. Look for Webb to have an immediate impact.
Minnesota might get some yards here and there, but I don’t expect them to score a lot of points.
Ohio State’s offense looked it’s best all year against Rutgers 2 weeks ago. It was almost a shame we had a bye week this past week to stop them.
As already mentioned it will be Cardale Jones back at QB so the offense might look a little different this week. However, I love seeing Miller listed as a QB this week. I fully expect him to play a lot of QB and I don’t mean just faking a hand off and running up the middle.
Here’s my bold prediction for the game. Look for Miller to actually play QB, and yes, I mean throw the ball.
Minnesota’s defense gives up 24 points a game. Not that bad really. However, they have had games were they were gashed this year. Nebraska put up 48 on them, Ohio U managed 27, and ttun had 29 points. So Minnesota can give up some points from time to time.
Minnesota’s defense doesn’t really do one thing better or worse than the other. If they have a weakness it is their run defense. They give up nearly 140 yards a game rushing.
This is good news with Zeke Eilliot in your backfield. Also with an athlete like Braxton Miller as well.
Now Minnesota did give TCU all they could handle and more this year, only losing 23-17. But its been a bit downhill ever since for the Gophers.
If Jones can manage the game well and not turn the ball over. I can see Ohio State putting up some yards and points come Saturday night.
Ohio State just has too much talent and speed for Minnesota to stop all night long
Prediction
Minnesota is coming into this game down. They lost their coach and lost a tough game last week. There could have 2 effects on a team. 1 they can get steam rolled or 2 they play wild and can upset anyone.
With Barrett at QB I predicted this game would be a comfortable win for Ohio State. Even with Jones now at QB I just can’t see Minnesota scoring enough in the shoe to defeat the Buckeyes.
OHIO STATE 38 MINNESOTA 17
The post Ohio State vs Minnesota Preview, What will happen? appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
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Michael Smith via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Hello everyone and welcome back as I preview this week’s game. This Saturday night, Ohio State will host the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Even though Ohio State had a bye last week, both teams come off a week full of happenings.
By now everyone knows the J.T. Barrett story. Saturday morning we woke up to news that he had been stopped for OVI and would be suspended for the Minnesota game.
Let me first say that we all know how poor of choice it is to drink and get behind the wheel. Its very dangerous and J.T. is very lucky here. Not only could his punishment — either by Ohio State or the law be much worse, he could’ve hurt himself or God forbid, someone else.
I realize the effect on the team is a lot less in terms of priority but let’s also be honest here. Ohio State is coming off the Rutgers game and with J.T. at quarterback, this offense was ready to start steam rolling people.
The offense looked the best it had all year versus Rutgers.
Now we must fully support Cardale Jones, as he will be the starting signal caller this Saturday. The backup quarterback, one Braxton Miller.
I honestly would start Miller at QB if I was the head coach, but I’m not. Talk about throwing the other team for a loop.
Now Minnesota comes in down, real down.
If you have been under a rock the last week, Minnesota not only lost a tough heartbreaking game, and their coach Jerry Kill. Who retired due to health reasons.
Minnesota took on ttun last week at home and in a very emotional game. Down 3 with 19 seconds left and on the ttun 1 yard line something went terribly wrong for the Gophers.
First, with the clock running, they failed to get off a play in a timely manner, leaving only 2 seconds left to run another play. Instead of going for the tie, they went for the win and ran a QB sneak, which everyone and their brother saw coming.
In the end, ttun held and Minnesota lost a heart breaker 29-26.
Now Minnesota must regroup and come into Columbus to face a fresh Ohio State team.
Minnesota comes into the game a little offensive challenged. They have a balanced attack on offense but don’t put up a lot of points or yards.
Minnesota only averages 21 points a game and 365 yards a game total on offense this year.
They’ve struggled to put points on the board against the likes of Kent State, Colorado State, and Northwestern.
Their main offensive weapons is QB Mitch Leidner who has thrown for nearly 1700 yards this year, with 8 TDS and 6 INTS. Their main RB is Rodney Smith, however, he has struggled this year only averaging 4.3 yards a carry. Their best WR is KJ Maye, who has 39 catches on the year and 3 TDs.
Minnesota runs a tradition offense, no spread or anything fancy.
Ohio State’s defense really started to click against Rutgers as well. They completely shut down Rutgers who actually does have some play makers on offense.
Ohio State’s defensive line should be able to get pressure on Leidner, who has been sacked 11 times this year. Look for Bosa and company to be in his face for much of the game.
They also got a major boost this week as suspended DB Damon Webb returned this week and is expected to play this Saturday against the Gophers.
This is huge for a Buckeye secondary which, due to injuries, has gotten a little thin at depth. Look for Webb to have an immediate impact.
Minnesota might get some yards here and there, but I don’t expect them to score a lot of points.
Ohio State’s offense looked it’s best all year against Rutgers 2 weeks ago. It was almost a shame we had a bye week this past week to stop them.
As already mentioned it will be Cardale Jones back at QB so the offense might look a little different this week. However, I love seeing Miller listed as a QB this week. I fully expect him to play a lot of QB and I don’t mean just faking a hand off and running up the middle.
Here’s my bold prediction for the game. Look for Miller to actually play QB, and yes, I mean throw the ball.
Minnesota’s defense gives up 24 points a game. Not that bad really. However, they have had games were they were gashed this year. Nebraska put up 48 on them, Ohio U managed 27, and ttun had 29 points. So Minnesota can give up some points from time to time.
Minnesota’s defense doesn’t really do one thing better or worse than the other. If they have a weakness it is their run defense. They give up nearly 140 yards a game rushing.
This is good news with Zeke Eilliot in your backfield. Also with an athlete like Braxton Miller as well.
Now Minnesota did give TCU all they could handle and more this year, only losing 23-17. But its been a bit downhill ever since for the Gophers.
If Jones can manage the game well and not turn the ball over. I can see Ohio State putting up some yards and points come Saturday night.
Ohio State just has too much talent and speed for Minnesota to stop all night long
Prediction
Minnesota is coming into this game down. They lost their coach and lost a tough game last week. There could have 2 effects on a team. 1 they can get steam rolled or 2 they play wild and can upset anyone.
With Barrett at QB I predicted this game would be a comfortable win for Ohio State. Even with Jones now at QB I just can’t see Minnesota scoring enough in the shoe to defeat the Buckeyes.
OHIO STATE 38 MINNESOTA 17
The post Ohio State vs Minnesota Preview, What will happen? appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...