A preview of the Minnesota game

Chris Smith, Press Box writer,

After last week's train wreck against Purdue it is time to look ahead to Minnesota. I don't know if you can even describe it as “train wreck,” the analogy of a train would seem to imply locomotion, in which the Buckeyes have none. The “Silver Bullet” defense was starting to look like they have been dwindled down to BB's shot out of my Red Ryder gun.

But who wouldn't after spending 38 minutes on the field the week before against Wisconsin, and then carrying this lackluster offense in yet another game. Jim Tressel's offense is like a tick that sucks the life out of all things Buckeye Football.

The only thing I can do is to erase the game from my mind in order to game plan for the next week and to even be able to fathom the idea of watching another OSU football game.

It was a fluke that cannot be explained; there is no way they can possibly play that bad again, so we must erase the game and look at the team that was supposed to go in and make easy work of the Boilermakers.

Minnesota (4-3;2-2) does not pose much of a running threat, evidenced by the fact that Duane Bennett who has yet to reach the 300 yards for the season. Minnesota's most significant win this season has come against Purdue, though the Gophers did compete well against the Cal Bears, then ranked 8th in the country.

The Gophers are ranked 114th in country in total offense averaging, 293 yards of offense a game--who knew there was a team worse on offense than the Buckeyes?

Ohio State is currently ranked 91st in the nation in total offense.

The “Sweater Vest” offense should be able to find seam early seems with Brandon Saine or, God forbid, some designed runs by Terrelle Pryor against a defense that surrenders 164 yards rushing per game.

I look for our defense to dominate Minnesota’s weak passing attack, but the Gophers do have Eric Decker at wide receiver, who is perfectly capable of gouging a defense for long plays and yards after the catch.

The OSU defense proved itself vulnerable last week and I look for Minnesota to use the same passing attack that Purdue utilized until the Silver Bullets prove they can stop it; they will roll out quarterback Adam Weber and do some things to disrupt the pass rush and move the pocket.

The question must be asked, how composed will Terrelle Pryor be after a week’s worth of criticism?

Furthermore, can the offensive line do anything that gives this offense a chance to establish itself and build some momentum going forward?

Finally, it has to get better, right?