Ohio State freezes out Minnesota 31-24

J.T. Barrett threw three touchdowns and ran for another as the Ohio State Buckeyes survived snowy conditions to defeat the Minnesota Golden Gophers 31-24 at a cold Minneapolis.
Barrett's 86 yard TD run was the key chunk of his 189 yards on the ground and Barrett added another 200 through the air.
The now 9-1 (6-0 Big 10) Buckeyes will return to the Horseshoe for their final two games of the regular season-next week vs Indiana and the following Saturday vs that team up north.

Olentangy Offerings

1) J.T. Barrett is slowly winning me over as a Heisman candidate.
In a year without a candidate that stands out,Barrett is accumulating numbers that deserve at least an invite to the ceremony for the Heisman,

Barrett's 38 total of touchdowns are already more (with 2 games to go) than both of the last two winners (both also freshman QB's) Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston did in their winning seasons...

2) The Barrett run was the longest TD run for a quarterback in Ohio State history and his 189 yards rushing was the most ever for a OSU quarterback.
For the first time,I'm starting to lend a little credence to the idea of Braxton Miller transferring someplace for next season.
I'm not sure that even Urban Meyer can pull off a system that is going to make two quarterbacks of this quality happy..

3) This game was not that close.
Two turnovers basically handed Minnesota field position for two touchdowns and even when the score was close,which during two different times-I never had that feeling that the game was slipping away,..

4) Jalen Marshall is going to be a big time playmaker,but he is going to have take better care of the ball.
Marshall was fast and loose with a fumble off a catch just before he scored and caused a touchback and later fumbled a punt that gave Minnesota a short drive for a TD.
This should come along,but needs to improve...

5) The cold and snow had its share in the game,but didn't seem to be overwhelming.
Ohio State did very well considering the conditions and the wind was strong,but only really played into the game once as the wind took a 52 yard attempt by Minnesota's Ryan Santoso and slammed the ball into a upright on a kick that looked like was going to be successful...

6) The run defense still concerns me as David Cobb rushed for 145 yards and three scores.
Cobb is a good back,but not the type of back that Ohio State is going to face in Indianapolis in Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon.
That needs to be shaped up and soon.

7) Another key play was early in the third quarter when a touchdown off an interception was called back for a pass interference.
The Minnesota receiver was falling down,but the defender did have a hand on him.
I thought the flag was light,but usually a grab and clutch means penalty,,

8) Cold? Yep. The 15 degrees at kickoff was the coldest for the Buckeyes since their 1964 game against michigan,
Even in the Big 10,if Minnesota can ever get their program to the top,that stadium is going to be quite an advantage.
Why the NFL Vikings didn't take that into account shows that dollars were more important to them than winning...

9) Joey Bosa bounced back from a tough day in East Lansing with seven tackles and a sack.
Bosa did have a knee brace,but it didn't seem to affect his any..

10) Ohio State entered the day 8th in the playoff ratings,
 The question becomes how much do they jump?
Minnesota sliding into the ratings last week at 25 will help a smidgen in the quality win category and the late night loss by number six Arizona State will guarantee one spot.
The key becomes how far does Mississippi State fall after their first loss and could 4th rated TCU slide after a close four point win over a three win Kansas team....