Minnesota at No. 14 Ohio State (minus 18)

Ohio State leads the series 40-7 and is 20-3 at home against the Gophers. The last time Ohio State (3-1) lost to Minnesota (4-0) in Columbus was the 17-29 shocker in the year 2000.

Terrelle Pryor is the toast of the town, but Minnesota’s Adam Weber might be the quarterback everyone is 36talking about after the game. The sophomore has thrown for 967 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Weber has a talented receiver in Eric Decker. Last season Decker caught 67 passes, a Minnesota record. This season he leads the Big Ten in receiving yards (454) and receptions (32).

Many people believe the malaise Ohio State is suffering is because of the offense. However, the defense is not performing to the standard of past Ohio State teams. The defensive unit appears to react to the action instead of dictating the action. This supported by the fact that the Buckeyes are ranked 99th in the country in tackles for loss. If Ohio State can’t get to Weber and running back DeLeon Eskridge behind the line of scrimmage, Minnesota will be able to rack up the yards and points.

THE VIEW
Jim Morrison used to sing, “Come on baby, light my fire.” Today Ohio State fans are singing, “Come on baby, Terrelle Pryor.” This is Ohio State’s 119th season and the Buckeyes are 119-10-4 at home in September. With Beanie and Pryor playing you can make that 120-10-4.

Ohio State 31, Minnesota 17

Random Notes
Ohio State
Leads the Big Ten and is ranked tenth nationally in pass defense (149 yards a game).
The offense is ranked 104th in the nation and last in the Big Ten in passing.
The offense is ranked next to last in the Big Ten in total offense.
The offensive line has allowed ten sacks in four games, 101st in the nation and last in the Big Ten.
Ranks 112th in the nation and last in the Big Ten in kickoff returns, 16.63 yards a return

Minnesota
Leads the Big Ten in turnover margin, plus 11.
Averages 36.25 points a game.
Pass defense is ranked last in the Big Ten and 94th nationally.

Players
Quarterback
Ohio State- Terrelle Pryor 30/45 (.636), 226 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception/195 rushing yards, 5.0 ypc, 1 TD

Minn- Adam Weber 79/110 (.718), 967 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT

Running Back
Ohio State- Daniel Herron 212 yards, 4.4 ypc, 1 TD

Minn- DeLeon Eskridge 204 yards, 4.3 ypc, 5 TD
Minn- Duane Bennett 140 yards, 4.4 ypc, 2 TD

Wide Receiver
Ohio State- Brian Robiskie 113 yards, 12 rec., 9.4 ypr, 2 TD
Ohio State- Brian Hartline 147 yards, 9 rec., 16.3 ypr, 2 TD

Minn- Eric Decker 454 yards, 32 rec., 14.2 ypr, 4 TD

Defense
Ohio State- Thaddeus Gibson 2 sacks

Minn- Tramaine Brock 28 tackles
Minn- Willie VanDeSteeg 6 TFL, 1.5 sacks

Team Stats
Ohio State
Rushing- 163.5
Passing- 157.3
Total- 320.8
PF- 25
PA- 14.8

Minnesota
Rushing- 162
Passing- 241.8
Total- 403.8
PF- 36.3
PA- 17.5