Preview: OSU at Minn. - Buckeyes Better Roll in Minnesota

By Adam Kiefaber

Last week, I wrote that I wasn’t convinced that Ohio State answered all of its question marks in the Washington game. After the Buckeyes beat up on the lowly Tyrell Sutton-less Wildcats of Northwestern 58-7, I felt better about Ohio State’s Big Ten title hopes.

However, I still feel the Buckeyes haven’t played anyone yet. Washington is solid, but young and Ohio State got a lot of breaks. And Northwestern - well - they are terrible.

Minnesota could be even worse, as the Gophers (right) have a 1-3 record, which includes loses to Bowling Green and Florida Atlantic.

Prior to the season, I thought Minnesota would be the surprise (in a good way) team in the Big Ten. Instead the Gophers have been worse than expected. That doesn’t mean this team doesn’t have weapons.

Freshman quarterback Adam Weber has looked great at times and at other times he has looked like a freshman. For the season, Weber is averaging 257.8 passing yards per game. Weber also can run the football. He has 257 yards rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns this year. Throwing the football, his touchdown-to-interception ratio is 11-to-8.

Weber has a couple of solid receivers in sophomore Eric Decker and senior Ernie Wheelwright. Decker has 30 catches for 421 yards and four touchdowns. Wheelwright is from Columbus, is 6-foot-5 and has five touchdown receptions this year.

As always the Gophers have a good running back in senior Amir Pinnix, who rushed for 1,272 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2006. Pinnix has 439 yards on 77 carries and has three rushing touchdowns. Pinnix also has 10 catches and a receiving touchdown this season. However, Pinnix has had fumbling issues this season and the Buckeyes could see freshman Duane Bennett get some playing time. Bennett has 112 yards rushing on 13 carries (9.4 yards per carry).

The players weren’t the main reason that I picked the Gophers to do well this year. I bit on the sales pitch that new head coach Tim Brewster (left) sold on Big Ten Media Day. At the time I wrote, “when I was watching the Big Ten Media Day on Tuesday (July 31st). New head coach Tim Brewster seemed as though he was the only Big Ten coach with a pulse.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Gophers pull off an upset later on this season, but they don’t seem ready now.

Ohio State goes into the game with the nation’s #2-ranked defense and the Gophers lead the nation in committing turnovers, which could lead to a slopfest.

Another positive statistic, is that the Buckeyes have never lost to Minnesota in the Metrodome, going 10-0 since 1982.

For some reason, I can see the Buckeyes struggle a bit in this night game on the road. Fortunately, the Buckeyes are playing Minnesota and should roll to an easy win.