MINNEAPOLIS — Ohio State could have found a trap game waiting at Minnesota, coming off that resounding win at Michigan State. The Buckeyes sidestepped a setback with a resilient performance against the gritty Gophers, positioning themselves to move up in the College Football Playoff rankings after some of the teams ahead of them had trouble. “That was a really great team that we just played,” Ohio State wide receiver Evan Spencer said after Saturday’s 31-24 victory at cold and snowy Minnesota. Strength of schedule and style points will factor into the CFP committee’s decision on the final four teams that will play in the first true national championship format in the history of the sport’s top tier. A loss at home to Virginia Tech has shackled Ohio State’s resume all season, but the Buckeyes surged back into contention by decisively beating the Spartans. Then they survived three turnovers, the wintry weather and a powerful running game by the Gophers. The one-touchdown margin won’t stand out on a list of scores, considering Ohio State was a 12-point favorite and has lost only twice to Minnesota since 1966. But the Buckeyes (9-1, 6-0) were adamant afterward about the quality of this Big Ten win. “I challenge any team in the country that wants to go ahead and schedule this one in November,” coach Urban Meyer said. Ohio State moved up to seventh in The Associated Press poll published on Sunday. The next CFP rankings will be revealed on Tuesday. The Buckeyes were eighth on the CFP list last week, and sixth-ranked Arizona State lost at Oregon State. No…
Continue Reading: Ohio State survives Minnesota, now 7th in AP poll with College Football Playoff in sight
