Part 2 

Minnesota Gophers

Pregame Hype:             After the shellacking of Northwestern, Ohio State fans were starting to believe that this team would certainly be a contender for the Big Ten title.  Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan loomed late in the season and OSU fans were hopeful that Coach Tressel could keep everyone focused on each game individually.   

The Game:                    OSU 30 – Minnesota 7 Minnesota must have left their rushing attack at home.  The Buckeye defense had their way with the Gophers and easily manhandled them.  Beanie Wells racked up 116 yards on the ground and Brian Robiskie had 99 through the air.   

The Verdict:                 “Set the team on cruise control Tressel,” was the predominate sentiment around Columbus “and keep them focused!”

Purdue Boilermakers

Pregame Hype:             Purdue and their Big Ten leading offense hosts the Buckeyes and the Big Ten leading defense.  Fans are giddy at the fact that they might have a fun “unstoppable force / immovable object” game on their hands.  The primetime TV slot insures that the student body and the fans at home are properly sauced by kickoff. 

The Game:                    OSU  23 – Purdue 7 The defense showed up big allowing only 4 yards net rushing.  Purdue played from behind the whole day a turned one-dimensional, pass happy offense.  Todd Boeckman showed signs of being a first year starter and threw three interceptions in the game.  Beanie Wells was gimpy with a sprained ankle.   

The Verdict:                 A win is a win but the offense was not clicking this day.  There is no doubt about the defense anymore as detractors finally started giving the Silver Bullets due respect.   

Kent State Golden Flashes

Pregame Hype:             The Big Ten added a 12^th game to the schedule but for some reason it won’t be a conference game.  The Buckeyes are again criticized for the cupcake in-state opponent.  Fans are getting tired of shelling out more than $64 for these kinds of games. 

The Game:                    OSU 48 – Kent State 3 A huge game from Brian Hartline and Todd Boeckman calmed a lot of Buckeye nerves.  Fans got to see the NCAA football equivalent to a baseball cycle; punt return, interception, rush and pass all for touchdowns.  First time I can remember that EVER happening in Ohio Stadium.  Hartline’s 90 yard punt return was the longest in Ohio Stadium history.  

The Verdict:                 The Buckeyes dominated a team that they should have dominated.  Fans saw a glimpse of the future as Brandon Saine got plenty of touches as Beanie Wells was limited with an ankle sprain. 

Michigan State Spartans

Pregame Hype:             This has been the craziest football season in recent history and all of a sudden Ohio State (preseason #16-ish) has risen to the #1 ranking in the country.  No one in Buckeye Nation expected to be this high this season but here they are.  Former defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio will face the Buckeyes for the first time as the Spartan’s head coach. 

The Game:                    OSU 24 – MSU 17 This game was out of hand until the Buckeyes turned the ball over late in the third.  The score was closer than it indicated but the defense was able to put the clamps on when it most needed before the Spartans could turn the game in their favor.   

The Verdict:                 Todd Boeckman still looked like a first year starter and many wondered when he would start making better decisions with the ball.  Not all passes that work against YSU and Kent State will work against Big ten defenses.  Beanie Wells is a monster as he racked up 221 yards and a touchdown for the day. 

Penn State Nittany Lions

Pregame Hype:             First Washington was going to be a test for the Buckeyes and then Purdue was supposed to be a challenge.  Both turned into busts as the Buckeye defense decimated then in nearly every aspect.  Now a trip to Happy Valley is the first true test for the Buckeyes in 2007.  The Bucks have only won twice at Penn State since the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten in 1993.  

The Game:                    OSU 37 – PSU 17 After an early deficit, the Buckeyes took control of the game on both sides of the ball.  Outside of an interception, Todd Boeckman looked great and Beanie Wells came to work and racked up 133 yards on the second best defense in the Big Ten. 

The Verdict:                 This victory felt really good.  Any victory over PSU is a good victory but with the way the offensive line manhandled the Nittany Lion defense it was extra special.  Most fans and media members are now expecting the Bucks to go undefeated into the Michigan game.