Hannah Foslien/Getty Images A week after registering its best win of the season, No. 8 Ohio State University (9-1) looked a bit sloppy in a 31-24 victory over No. 25 University of Minnesota (7-3) Saturday afternoon. The Buckeyes were able to overcome the frigid Minneapolis conditions to pile up 489 yards of total offense, but the Gophers turned three turnovers into 21 points in a closer-than-expected seven-point game. Ohio State was still able to come out with an important road victory over a Top 25 team. Here’s how the Buckeyes graded out. Ohio State Buckeyes Game Grades Positional Unit First-Half Grade Final Grade Pass Offense C+ B Run Offense A+ A+ Pass Defense A+ A+ Run Defense C- C Special Teams C D Coaching B B- vs. Minnesota Ohio State Buckeyes Grade Analysis Pass Offense: J.T. Barrett struggled with his accuracy in the frigid Minneapolis cold, completing 15 of 25 passes against an experienced Gophers secondary. He was productive, though, throwing for 200 yards and three touchdowns. A badly overthrown ball in the first quarter was picked off and gave Minnesota life in the first half, and a fumble from Jalin Marshall going into the end zone on a shovel pass took points off the board. Those were the only gaffes in an otherwise solid performance. Marshall is starting to emerge as a serious threat in the Buckeyes’ passing attack, as he caught five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. Run Offense: It was safe to assume Ohio State would try to establish the run game in the cold conditions, and Barrett and Ezekiel Elliott did that in a big way. The two combined for 280 yards on 35 carries, but it was Barrett who owned the day. His 86-yard touchdown run in the first quarter set the tone, as the Buckeyes averaged an impressive 7.6 yards per carry…
Continue Reading: Ohio State vs. Minnesota: Game Grades, Analysis for the Buckeyes
