Game 8- #19 Ohio State (5-2, 3-1) vs Minnesota (4-3, 2-2)

Where: Ohio Stadium

When: Noon EST

TV: ESPN

I'm really not in the mood to comment on this game, because the next two weeks are the worst thing to go through after an unexpected loss. Mediocre teams after a loss = boredom and highly critical fans rambling on until you play your next real opponent. Playing Penn State will get this fan base back on track, but that isn't for another two weeks. Instead of talking about Minnesota, here are a few things that I want to see out of this team by the end of the season:

1. Run the spread offense out of the shotgun effectively. Lower level WAC teams can run this offense, but OSU can't and it is way too frustrating. It can most certainly be fixed, but we will need to be patient about it. The talent is there, but all of the young pieces (the majority of this offense are sophomores) need to all be on the same page.

2. NO HUDDLE. QUICK PLAY CALLING. This will instill a sense of urgency in the offense and will allow Pryor an opportunity to simply make plays as opposed to thinking too much and hurting the offense. It would be more effective than what is happening now.

3. Showing promise against teams like Penn State, Iowa and Michigan to earn a BCS bowl spot so the Buckeyes can still prove themselves against top competition in January. Whatever bowl game OSU plays in could and should be a launching pad for what should be an amazing 2010 team. But first things first: beat Minnesota, NMSU, PSU, Iowa and Michigan.

4. Be patient. Everyone. The coaches, fans, media, etc. Troy Smith ran all of the time and wasn't a good quarterback until after the 2005 Penn State game in the middle of his redshirt junior year. Because Pryor was so heavily recruited, we would expect to see an astronomical leap with him this season. To put it simply though, it isn't going to happen this season...unless it is after the Michigan game. He is an amazing athlete, so utilize him as such. Run him! Be creative! Under Tressel this probably won't happen, but it might need to if anyone expects to win out and be crowned a Big Ten champion for the fifth time in a row.

Oh, and OSU beats Minnesota. The offense will look better, obviously, but not too pretty while the defense will suffocate the Golden Gophers.

Prediction:

Ohio State- 27

Minnesota- 10