Iceland12
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http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/11/15/1115-osu-minnesota/the-bottom-line.html
- The 15-degree temperature at kickoff marked the coldest kickoff on record for an Ohio State game since the 1964 Michigan game (20 degrees). It also was the coldest kickoff in the history of TCF Bank Stadium.
Was that a mirage, or did we witness Urban Meyer’s hair turning gray before our eyes as OSU turned a leisurely stroll into a strenuous climb? Snow way that game should have been that close. Leaves are awarded on a zero-to-five basis.
Defense (3 leaves)
Let it be said that the OSU offense did no favors for the defense, which allowed three Minnesota touchdowns after exactly three Buckeyes turnovers. But it also is true that the ball-hawks didn’t always force the issue, especially when big back David Cobb worked up a head of steam.
Special teams (1 leaf)
Anyone who thought it was cold in the stands should check out how frosty it gets in the film room when coaches grade this clunker. The Buckeyes’ punting was weak, and they had only one decent return, which was way more than offset by a flubbed fair catch. At least the onside kick went right.
Coaching (3 leaves)
Time and again, the Buckeyes looked like they would flex their muscles and waltz away with a road win to impress the playoff pickers. And then they would drop a barbell on their foot. Considering the nasty weather, securing the victory was the main goal. But OSU can’t exactly afford to leave style points on the table.
Fun quotient (3 leaves)
Whoever said football is supposed to be played outdoors no matter the conditions probably would have cast a vote for the Metrodome by the middle of the second quarter. Minnesotans are of notably hearty stock, of course, and the crowd stayed involved.
Opponent (3 leaves)
It’s no stretch to say that Minnesota will be the second-best Big Ten team Ohio State sees in the regular season, behind Michigan State. Power running pays the bills, but the Gophers could be that much more dangerous if they could develop a consistent passing threat.
Officiating (3 leaves)
Gophers coach Jerry Kill went half-unhinged about a pass-interference call against his team, although he might have been arguing against any call that prolonged the freezing afternoon.
- The 15-degree temperature at kickoff marked the coldest kickoff on record for an Ohio State game since the 1964 Michigan game (20 degrees). It also was the coldest kickoff in the history of TCF Bank Stadium.
Was that a mirage, or did we witness Urban Meyer’s hair turning gray before our eyes as OSU turned a leisurely stroll into a strenuous climb? Snow way that game should have been that close. Leaves are awarded on a zero-to-five basis.
Defense (3 leaves)
Let it be said that the OSU offense did no favors for the defense, which allowed three Minnesota touchdowns after exactly three Buckeyes turnovers. But it also is true that the ball-hawks didn’t always force the issue, especially when big back David Cobb worked up a head of steam.
Special teams (1 leaf)
Anyone who thought it was cold in the stands should check out how frosty it gets in the film room when coaches grade this clunker. The Buckeyes’ punting was weak, and they had only one decent return, which was way more than offset by a flubbed fair catch. At least the onside kick went right.
Coaching (3 leaves)
Time and again, the Buckeyes looked like they would flex their muscles and waltz away with a road win to impress the playoff pickers. And then they would drop a barbell on their foot. Considering the nasty weather, securing the victory was the main goal. But OSU can’t exactly afford to leave style points on the table.
Fun quotient (3 leaves)
Whoever said football is supposed to be played outdoors no matter the conditions probably would have cast a vote for the Metrodome by the middle of the second quarter. Minnesotans are of notably hearty stock, of course, and the crowd stayed involved.
Opponent (3 leaves)
It’s no stretch to say that Minnesota will be the second-best Big Ten team Ohio State sees in the regular season, behind Michigan State. Power running pays the bills, but the Gophers could be that much more dangerous if they could develop a consistent passing threat.
Officiating (3 leaves)
Gophers coach Jerry Kill went half-unhinged about a pass-interference call against his team, although he might have been arguing against any call that prolonged the freezing afternoon.