Minnesota at Ohio State Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1) play host in their Big Ten opener, facing the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-0) at Noon ET at the Horseshoe. Ohio State has dominated this series over the years and won this game two years ago 44-0 on a blustery day (I know because I was there) in Columbus.

Of course, all eyes will be on Beanie Wells as he returns to play since his injury in the season opener. Wells has been practicing at full speed, and word inside the program is he's fired up and ready to go. Interestingly, coach Jim Tressel confirmed as much in an interview yesterday, and then quipped that he also told Beanie he "needs to pass protect better."

A hint of the offense to come? We shall see.

My sense is that with Beanie Wells the Ohio State offense gets very, very difficult to plan for. You have Pryor's playmaking and elusive skills, his ability to rifle the ball around the field (just ask Robo), and then, you have Wells and Herron who can pound a stretched defense into submission.

Truthfully, the Buckeyes can run just about any style offense with Pryor and Wells out there together, healthy, and playing well. Last week we got hints of the Pryor era. On Saturday, we will get a full glimpse of Buckeye things to come.

The Gophers enter this contest with a spread-style offense that will force Ohio State's defense to once again play wide and with a multitude of defensive backs. Personally, I love this because it means sophomore Jermale Hines will be on the filed, and when he's out there, Ohio State is a better defense. It will also be interesting to watch the defensive line. Changes were made this week and let's keep an eye on what kind of pressure the new lighter lineup is able to generate. While I wish we could face a bit of power football this week in order to prepare for next week's game at Wisconsin, you play who you play, and you get them one at a time.

Minnesota will attack with an open and efficient passing game while also looking to keep you off balance with some of their young running backs. They certainly look improved from last season. But I am not buying the competition to date (Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Montana State, Florida Atlantic) and it seems every year Minnesota is undefeated until this game. Ohio State's defense has played at USC at night, and from there everything in the Big Ten simply looks like JV ball. My bottom line: The Buckeye defense will create havoc for the Gophers all day long.

So yes, Buckeye Fans, I'm anticipating a great game form Ohio State this week. This team felt up in the air last week, and Terrelle Pryor pulled the back to earth. Now Beanie joins the cause and my sense there is a belief about the offense forming that will only grow in the coming weeks. The defense, too, seemed to find itself late in the Troy game.

Another big question, of course, is the offensive line, where we hear continued strange reports of Coach Tressel "coaching" in practice, yelling "play faster," and senior Alex Boone asking for various therapy sessions with his coaches. I don't know. These guys are not the best line, or even the line I though they would be, but I see no reason why they can't be successful most of the time at their assignments. Just get it done, guys.

Saturday is just another test for this line. And in my view they need to get most of the questions right, because next week is shaping up as the game that will mean everything in the Big Ten conferences this season.

Go Bucks.

Ohio State 34 Minnesota 10


A quick word on the USC loss: I haven't seen the game yet but it's waiting for me on my DVR. This morning, however, I have been enjoying the 180 degree turn of the football punditry. You know, USC as best team of all time to USC failing again, like they do every year. Honestly I just wish some of these guys would shut up and enjoy the football and the competition. These are young guys giving it their all. We don't need to know who has the inside track for the national championship after two weeks. That stuff takes care of itself. What does not take care of itself is beating every single opponent—talented or otherwise—on a particular program's 12-game schedule.

What I love about college football, and what I suspect many of you love about college football, is the high stakes of each and every game, the traditions and histories, the ability to watch really young talent blossom into star talent that one day will earn much-deserved NFL accolades. And, of course, I love that on any given Saturday someone can pull a shocker. Congrats to Oregon State. And I have little doubt USC will be back in the thick of things soon enough.