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| OHIO STATE BUCKEYES | Game 8 | MINNESOTA GOPHERS |
 | vs |  |
| Date: | November 7, 2015 | Location: | Minneapolis, MN |
| Time: | 7:00 PM Central | Stadium: | Ohio Stadium |
| TV: | ABC (National Broadcast) | Radio: | KFAN (100.3 FM) Gophers Radio Network XM Ch 84 Sirius Ch 84 SiriusXM 84 |
| Internet Stream: | WatchABC | Know Thy Foe: | Land-Grant Holy Land |
| Weather: | clear, 47 degrees, 0% chance of Dilly Bars | ||
| Line: | OSU by as much as 23 | ||
3 Keys, 2 Players to Watch, 1 Prediction
Play with Passion - Gophers have to come out with some fire and energy. I believe Ohio State is motivated, probably the most motivated they have been since their game at Virginia Tech to avenge their only loss in two years. After being "disrespected" in the season's first College Football Playoff Rankings, they are going to be motivated to come out and punish whoever is in front of them. That is our Golden Gophers, they need to match that intensity and show they are not going to back down.
Win the Big Plays - Going against a team that has several explosive play-makers is going to be a real challenge but I think in order to win we have to limit theirs while pulling off a few of our own. Last week's Gopher offense was the most explosive we have seen all season and maybe this is the new norm. But it needs to happen today both on the ground and through the air and on defense. Have more "big plays" than the Buckeyes. Easier said than done.
Run the Ball - Believe it or not the Buckeye's rush defense (in terms of yards allowed) is 10th in the conference. Maryland's Perry Hills ran for 170 on this unit and Saquon Barkley of Penn State had 194. This team can give up big days to running backs. We need to have one of those days and then let the defense do what it does best.
OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH
- #12 - QB - Cardale Jones - Been rather inconsistent this year with 5 picks on the season. Maybe get a little pressure and force a turnover or two from the junior. He is a real key.
- #15 - RB - Ezeekiel Elliott - Jones can make plays to either keep us in the game or put us away early, but the REAL KEY to slowing down the Buckeye offense is keeping Elliott in check.
- #37 - DE - Joey Bosa - Likely a top 5 pick in next spring's draft. His sack numbers are down but we haven't exactly been slowing down opposing defensive lines, been better lately but not exactly a strength. He concerns me.
PREDICTION
I believe this is a down game for the Gophers and it isn't very competitive. If Claeys has a gameplan and has his team ready to compete tonight, I will personally be very impressed.
Minnesota - 13
Ohio State - 28