From a respectful Buckeye fan: How Gophers can win on Sat

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

The Gophers held TCU to their lowest point total of the season, on the road, and after turning the ball over 5 times. If Ohio State thinks they're going to roll into the bank and put up 50, they're in for a rude awakening. Ohio State won't score more than 30 this weekend, and that in itself will keep the Gophers in the game until the end.

Let's not also forget that due to some turnovers which I believe involved a pick 6, TCU did most of there scoring on a short field. They only had one scoring drive that crossed mid-field. For a D to give up just 23 points under those conditions is quite amazing to say the least.

 

[golden boy]

Let's not also forget that due to some turnovers which I believe involved a pick 6, TCU did most of there scoring on a short field. They only had one scoring drive that crossed mid-field. For a D to give up just 23 points under those conditions is quite amazing to say the least.

Yeah our D has had bad games, but that was not one of them. The score without the context of TOs and field position can give a false positive there. But, the D has had bad games, and it is the strength of our team. This isn't exactly hard analysis, but if one side of the ball doesn't have a top 1-2 of the year performance on Saturday we are going to lose.

 

[jaymil]

Let's not also forget that due to some turnovers which I believe involved a pick 6, TCU did most of there scoring on a short field. They only had one scoring drive that crossed mid-field. For a D to give up just 23 points under those conditions is quite amazing to say the least.

TCU didn't have a pick 6 but I believe your point still remains.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

I think you Ohio State fans should really be worried about polar bears running around everywhere stabbing everyone. It's a big problem here.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

TCU didn't have a pick 6 but I believe your point still remains.

Good catch. I thought I remembered an errant Leidner pass being returned for a TD. Also, TCU had two scoring drives crossing mid-field (both FGs) to be correct.

 

[cncmin]

I think the Gophers will have a hard time stopping Barrett, as the Gophers always have difficulty against QBs who can run. Probably has a lot to do with the tendency toward man coverage, since the secondary and LBs often end up facing away from the ball. I'm not sure if Kill/Claeys can change our base D to account for the need to shadow Barrett; but Claeys has shown the ability to adjust well after the first couple of opponents' possessions. Just can't start out in a deep hole early. Gophers' offense will have to fool OSU to score. Simple play schemes will only end up getting beat by the difference in athleticism. A "coaching victory" is the Gophers' only legit shot at winning.

I'm just as afraid of the B1G refs as OSU. Since OSU beat MSU last week, they are pretty much the only shot the B1G has at the playoffs. The B1G has a lot of $$$$$ (and prestige??) to lose if the Gophers knock off OSU. Just look at the fix OSU had @ PSU. You think the Gophers have had the raw end of the reffing stick a lot over the years, one has to wonder what shenanigans are in store for them here. Think 4th Q and OT of the 2009 Vikings @ NO NFC Championship game post-Katrina type of shenanigans. On field calls will tend in OSU's favor, and as shown by the OSU @ PSU evidence, "obvious" will still probably result in a "call stands".

I hope I'm wrong, and that the Gophers get a fair game, at least. But if it's close at the end and OSU needs a score, a phantom PI call or two or three is a guarantee.