COLUMBUS – The Buckeyes moved up one spot to No. 2 in the Associated Press College Football Poll after a 30-14 win over Minnesota Saturday that cast harsh spotlights on two of Ohio State’s vulnerabilities: defense and the run game.
The saying right now that I’m using is enhance our strengths and let’s fix our weaknesses,” head coach Urban Meyer summed up after the game. “We’re going to have to get some things fixed.”
The Buckeyes are second in the poll to Alabama despite a defense that is ranked 75th in the nation, allowing 5.6 yards per play and a rushing offense that is ranked 66th, gaining only 4.5 yards per carry.
“What we’re going to do is enjoy our win, 7-0. Not many teams are 7-0. Get some things fixed and get ready for the trip to Purdue,” Meyer said.
(2) OSU (7-0, 4-0, Big Ten East) at Purdue (3-3, 2-1 Big Ten West)
Ross-Ade Stadium, W. Lafayette, Ind.
Sat., Oct. 20 (7:30 p.m./ABC)
One of those strengths to be enhanced – and the facet of the offense that his keeping Ohio State undefeated and in playoff contention – is the aerial onslaught skippered by quarterback Dwayne Haskins.
The Golden Gophers outgained Ohio State on the ground Saturday, 178 yards to 92, while keeping the game close through the first half, gouging the Buckeyes for some big plays, the kind that have plagued Ohio State all season.
The sophomore is ranked in the top five nationally in nine of 11 statistical passing categories, including touchdown passes (No. 1 with 28) and total yards (No. 3 in yards with 2,331).
The shakeup at the top of the poll was the result of losses by four of the top eight teams this weekend.
The Crimson Tide remain at No. 1, followed by the Buckeyes, Clemson and Notre Dame, each of which moved up one spot.
LSU jumped back to No. 5 after handing Georgia its first loss of the season and Michigan (6-1, 4-0) moved into the top 10 for the first time this season, reaching No. 6 after blowing out Wisconsin.
Texas climbed two spots to No. 7, Georgia fell to No. 8, No. 9 Oklahoma moved back into the top 10 while it was idle and Central Florida remained No. 10.