Instant analysis: No. 8 Ohio State 31, No. 25 Minnesota 24

MINNEAPOLIS — No. 8 Ohio State had to battle a ranked team on the road and snowy conditions on Saturday. Winter is coming, but the Buckeyes aren’t cooling off yet. They won their eighth straight game by surviving at No. 25 Minnesota 31-24, and that kept their College Football Playoff hopes flickering. Here is a quick look at how it happened: How the game was won: Ohio State simply had too much speed and offensive weaponry for the Gophers to handle most of the day. Minnesota stuck around, however, thanks to three costly Buckeyes turnovers. Jerry Kill chose to kick a field goal on second down with 1:23 left to get within a touchdown. But Ohio State recovered the ensuing onsides kick and was able to get into the victory formation. A missed 52-yard Gophers field goal early in the third quarter — it had enough distance but clanked off the left upright — loomed large late in the game as well. Game ball goes to: Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett. Just as he did against Michigan State last week, the redshirt freshman carved up a strong defense on the road. He eclipsed predecessor Braxton Miller for three school records: most touchdowns in a season (38), most rushing yards by a quarterback in a game (189) and longest run by a quarterback (86 yards). Barrett came close to the first-ever 200-200 day by a Buckeye, as he finished with an even 200 yards passing and had four total touchdowns. …

Continue Reading: Instant analysis: No. 8 Ohio State 31, No. 25 Minnesota 24