Minnesota vs. OSU Preview Part 3

Minnesota vs. OSU, October 28, 3:36 PM
ABC Regional with Mark Jones (play-by-play), David Norrie (analyst), Stacey Dales (sideline)

How OSU Did Last Week
OSU added another victory for the season, putting them at 8-0 and #1 in all the major polls, including the BCS. Ohio State has the nation's current longest winning streak, 15 in a row. OSU came away with an easy win at home 44-3 over Indiana. The Hoosiers scored first, with a field goal, but could not manage any more points against the OSU defense, which currently ranks 1st, tied with LSU, only allowing teams to score 8.25 points/game. Troy Smith started cold, missing four passes, but finished 15 of 23 for 220 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers. OSU had a season high 540 yards of offense, split even at 270 yards in the air and on the ground. Pittman added another 100 yard game, with 105 yards on 16 carries. Both Wells' ran for 62 yards, with Beanie scoring on a 21-yard run. Ginn lead the receivers with 72 yards. Ginn also threw a 38-yard pass for a touchdown to tight end Rory Nicol, who had two touchdowns for the day.

What to Expect
Minnesota has a decent quarterback in Kupito, and the running game is good as is the case with most Glen Mason teams. The Gopher's should be concerned with the fact that they have had some big losses and they have not done well against ranked teams. They kept things close with Penn State, but could not hit the extra point in the overtime. You can't lose like that at home. Coach Glen Mason is feeling the heat, and this team needs three more wins to be eligible for a bowl game and with games against OSU, Indiana, Michigan State and Iowa remaining on the schedule, that may prove difficult. Mason is not in danger of getting fired this season, but a win like this could really turn things around for him and the Gophers, so expect them to come out with all their guns in the beginning, but they will run out of bullets before halftime. OSU needs to consistently run the ball. The Minnesota defense allows teams to run the ball well, California, Michigan and Wisconsin had over 200 yards, and I look for us to get at least 225 yards on the ground. As the old saying goes, an effective running game opens up the passing game, so we should easily see at least 200 yards in the air. Glen Mason will lose on Saturday to Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes, and as the team leaves Ohio Stadium, he will wish yet again that he had been chosen to coach at his alma mater.