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Drew Thurman (12:21 pm)

Check out our Know the Opposition feature for full information on Minnesota. Below we have five things to look for as the Buckeyes head to TCF Bank Stadium tonight for the first time, trying to fix their road woes this year.

1) Watch to see how much pressure the defensive line can put on Adam Weber.

With a banged up secondary and linebacking core, the defensive line will need to bring it tonight. The task may not be as easy as we might expect though. While Adam Weber will never be confused for Usain Bolt, he is a wiley veteran that does have better mobility than many give him credit for. He also is part of an offense designed to help him get the ball out quickly to his receivers. On top of all of that, the Buckeye defensive line has struggled getting to the quarterback all year, and have helped contribute to a defense that is towards the bottom of the country in sacks. Last week the line finally broke through with three sacks though, and they will look to build off that success. So watch to see if the Buckeye defensive line can win the battle in the trenches and put pressure on Adam Weber all night. The defensive backfield will need help as they face a very tall, capable unit of Minnesota wide receivers, so this is an important matchup.

2) Watch to see if Corey "Philly" Brown's performance last week was a fluke.

The staff has been high on Brown, which showed last week as they made a conscious effort to put the ball in his hands. He had one rush for 18 yards to go along with two catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. While I wouldn't call it a breakout game, it definitely was a sign of the potential for Brown to be a contributor down the stretch. So tonight will be a good chance to see if the staff is serious about making him the No. 3 wide receiver, and also if Brown responds with another good game. The Gopher secondary has been gashed all season long, so Brown should have plenty of opportunities.  
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Mascot: Golden Gophers
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (50,805)
2009 Record: 6-7 (Lost to Iowa State 14-13 in Insight Bowl)
2010 Record: 1-7
Interim Head Coach:  Jeff Horton (0-1)
Lettermen Returning: 38 (22 lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 9; Defense - 2; Specialists - 1
Base Offense: "I" formation
Base Defense: 4-3
Returning Stars: QB Adam Weber & S Kyle Theret

Notable Alumni:

Tony Dungy, NFL player, coach and analyst
Harry Reasoner, ABC and CBS news anchor
Bob Dylan, Singer/songwriter
Bronco Nagurski, NFL Hall of Famer
Walter Mondale, U.S. Vice President (1977-81)
Dave Winfield, MLB Hall of Famer
Loni Anderson, Actress (WKRP in Cinicnnati)
Herb Brooks, Coach of USA 1980 Olympic Hockey team
Cheerleading Scouting Report:
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Minnesota Preview:

Ohio State travels to Minneapolis for a night game, affording the team their first look at Minnesota's new TCF Bank Stadium. Although the Buckeyes never lost in the Metrodome it was a terrible atmosphere for college football, and they will surely be happy to move to a new venue. 

Minnesota is currently 1-7 and preparing to play their second game under interim head coach Jeff Horton following the firing of Tim Brewster.  The team has played better than their record, however, only being outgained by 20 yards per contest, and have actually earned 19 more first downs than their opponents.  The Gophers have lost a game by one point and another by three, and the only one-sided loss was 41-23 at Wisconsin.  So Ohio State might want to think twice about phoning in a victory. 

Offense is the strength of this Gopher squad, and it all starts with quarterback Adam Weber.  A four-year starter, Weber has thrown for over 10,000 yards in his career and is having a fine senior season, having passed for 1,961 yards with 17 TD's and 7 INT's.  Not known for his running ability, Weber has done a pretty good job of using his legs this season (34 carries, 111 yards).  Possessing a strong arm, you can expect Adam to throw the ball repdeatedly Saturday night, as any hopes of an upset rest squarely on his back.
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Mascot: Boilermakers
Stadium: Ross-Ade Stadium (62,500)
2009 Record: 5-7
2010 Record: 4-2
Head Coach:  Danny Hope (second year at PU, 9-9)
Lettermen Returning: 43 (21 lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 5; Defense - 6; Specialists - 1
Base Offense: Ace (3 receivers)
Base Defense: 4-3
Returning Stars: De Ryan Kerrigan & LB Jason Werner

Notable Alumni:

Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon
George Peppard, actor (Hannibal Smith on the A-Team)
Charles Ellis, designer of the Golden Gate Bridge
Rod Woodson, NFL Hall of Famer
John Wooden, Basketball Hall of Famer as player and coach
Orville Redenbacher, entrepreneur of popcorn fame
Len Dawson, NFL Hall of Famer & Super Bowl IV MVP

Cheerleading Scouting Report:
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Purdue Preview:

Revenge will be on the minds of the Buckeyes when the Purdue Boilermakers come to town for an early Saturday kickoff.  Not only is Ohio State licking their wounds from last week's disappointing loss to Wisconsin, but remembers all too well the meltdown last year in West Lafayette.  Lest anyone think this will be an easy victory consider two facts. First, the Buckeyes are beat up, missing a number of key players.  Second, Purdue is playing some pretty good football of late, including an impressive defeat of Northwestern two weeks ago in Evanston.  Riding their defense and an improving running game they enter this contest with confidence, and know that they have defeated the Bucks in the past.

On offense this is a very different Boilermaker team than we have grown accustomed to.  In place of "basketball on grass," is a running game averaging over 200 yards per game.  When strong-armed starting quarterback Robert Marve went down, he was replaced by youngster Rob Henry who is much more of a runner and the Purdue fans I have talked with say it was the best thing that could have happened.  Henry won't wow you with his arm (40-79, 443 yards, 3 TD's & 3 INT.) but is a shifty runner with pretty good speed.  He leads the team with 356 yards on the ground and 4 touchdowns, and averages a healthy 5.6 per carry.  His running will present a very different challenge to the Silver Bullets than the power attack of Wisconsin. 
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Drew Thurman (12:21 pm)

Check out our Know the Opposition feature for full information on Wisconsin. Below we have five things to look for as the Buckeyes head to Camp Randall trying to prove the doubters wrong...

1) Watch Scott Tolzien and the play-action pass.

Everyone wants to talk about running backs John Clay and James White, but they alone will not win the game for the Badgers. They are the backbone of the offense, as Wisconsin always builds their teams around the run, but the Buckeyes are always tough in run defense. While the Badgers may have a bit more success running the ball than other teams Ohio State has faced, it still won't be enough to keep up offensively. I just have too much trust in our defense. The difference maker is Scott Tolzien and his ability to hit his tight ends off of play-action passes. Over the last several years the Buckeye defense has showed it's very vulnerable to good play-action teams, especially when they heavily use the tight end. This was one of the keys to victory for LSU is the 2007 National Championship game, and this year even teams like EMU have used this to put together solid drives. The Badgers have one of the best tight ends in the country in Lance Kendricks (25 catches, 391 yards and 3 TD's), and if the Buckeyes don't account for him, it will be long night.

2) Watch Jim Tressel and the offensive play calling.

One of the biggest keys in this game will be how Tressel will call things offensively. While Camp Randall is a hostile environment and keeping turnovers to a minimum is vital, he must open things up for Pryor and the passing game. The Badger defense has been exposed this season, and every team outside of Austin Peay has put up some major points against them. Kirk Cousins torched this secondary for 270 yards and three touchdowns, as MSU beat them 34-24, and last week Adam Weber had 249 yards and three touchdowns as the Gophers went down 41-23. Tressel can not play tight, banking just on the defense to stop the Wisconsin offense. Instead, the goal should be to come out slinging early on, and hopefully take the early lead. One of the best ways to stop a dynamic running game is to make an opponent's offense play catch up. This takes the ball out of the running backs hands, especially late in games when defenses are most vulnerable to being gashed by power backs. So watch to see Tressel's offensive game plan, especially early on.      
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Mascot: Badgers
Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium (80,321)
2009 Record: 10-3 (Defeated Miami, Fl 20-14 in Champs Sports Bowl)
2010 Record: 5-1
Head Coach:  Bret Bielema (fifth year at UW, 43-15)
Lettermen Returning: 46 (20 lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 10; Defense - 6; Specialists - 2
Base Offense: Multiple (usually two tight ends)
Base Defense: 4-3
Returning Stars: RB John Clay (pictured), TE Lance Kendricks & DE J.J. Watt

Notable Alumni:

Steve Miller - Musician (Steve Miller Band)
Charles Lindbergh - Aviator
Elroy Hirsch - Pro Football Hall of Famer
Frank Lloyd Wright - Architect
John Wilce - Former Buckeye football coach (in College Football Hall of Fame)
Greta Van Susteren - Television broadcaster
Bud Selig - MLB commissioner
Mike Webster - NFL Hall of Famer
Jane Kaczmarek - Actress (Malcolm in the Middle)

Cheerleading Scouting Report:
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Wisconsin Preview:

The Buckeyes take to the road Saturday heading north to Madison to take on the 18th ranked Wisconsin Badgers at one of the toughest venues in the country.  In what promises to be an old-fashioned Big Ten slugfest, Ohio State puts their new #1 ranking on the line in a night game that will surely be watched from coast to coast. 

If facing the number one ranked team in America isn't enough motivation for the Badgers, there is the growing hatred of the Buckeyes by Bret Bielema.  Two years ago Ohio State "stole" a game at Madison on a 12-play 80-yard drive engineered by freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who scored the winning points himself with 1:08 left on the clock.  Then last year, the Buckeyes downed Wisconsin 31-13 despite being outgained 364-168.  To say the least, it has all left a sour taste in the mouth of the Badgers head coach who would love to get some revenge.
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Drew Thurman (7:34 pm)

Check out our Know the Opposition feature for full information on Indiana. Below we have five things to look for against the Hoosiers, as the Buckeyes get their first look at basketball on grass this season...

1) Watch for how the Buckeye defense handles the Pistol Offense.

As the experts will tell you, it's really not an offense, it's a formation. Still, it is the backbone of the air show the Hoosiers have put on thus far in 2010. The beauty of this formation is that is gives the Hoosier offense the ability to run downhill while also allowing Chappell to get the ball out quickly in a shotgun set. Not only that, but they will use the pistol to put a twist on play-action plays and confuse defenses. Below is a look at their pistol formation as broken down by the Big Ten Network (h/t Smart Football): 
So watch to see how the Buckeye defense handles all the different looks IU throws at them. The running game wouldn't be the problem as the Hoosiers use it just to keep defenses honest. On top of that, running back Darius Willis is questionable going into the game. The issue is how the Buckeyes account for Ben Chappell and the intermediate passing game. Along the Olentangy does a great job breaking down Indiana's version of the pistol, and as they highlight, Chappell is great at finding the holes in defenses.

2) Watch to see how the running backs perform.

I have been pretty critical of the offensive line in recent weeks, but a simple look back at the game film has totally changed my perspective. After going back and checking out the Illinois game, I realized that the offensive line is not the issue it's the running backs. Now I've criticized the running backs, along with every other halfway intelligent fan out there, but the game film shows how bad this problem really is. Boom and Zoom are simply missing holes and not following their blockers. Boom has done a better job and at least runs the ball with purpose, Saine on the other hand just looks lost right now. He is running the ball timidly, dancing in the backfield, and more times that not completely missing the hole.

So keep an eye on the running backs tomorrow and how well they follow their blockers, namely Zach Boren. Also watch to see how Tressel will divvy up the carries between Saine, Herron, and hopefully Hall/Berry. The boys from Bloomington are giving up more than 200 yards a game, and there is no excuse why the Buckeye rushing attack shouldn't get back on track.
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Mascot: Hoosiers
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (56,692)
2009 Record: 4-8
2010 Record: 3-1
Head Coach:  Bill Lynch (fourth year at IU, 17-24; eighteenth year overall, 98-91-3)
Lettermen Returning: 45 (22 lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 9; Defense - 4; Specialists - 2
Base Offense: Ace (3 receivers)
Base Defense: 4-3
Returning Stars: QB Ben Chappell, WR Tandon Doss (pictured) & LB Tyler Replogle

Notable Alumni:

Kevin Kline - Oscar winning actor
Dick Enberg - Sportscaster
Hoagy Charmichael - Songwriter
Mark Spitz - Swimmer (won 7 gold medals in '72 Olympics)
Jane Pauley - TV journalist
Jimmy Wales - Co-founder and president of Wickipedia
Steve Alford - NBA player and NCAA coach
Joe Buck - Emmy Award winning sportscaster
Shaun Micheel - PGA golfer

Cheerleading Scouting Report:
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Indiana Preview:

With a strong-armed quarterback and a potent offense, the Indiana Hoosiers travel to Columbus with renewed confidence. Taking a page from rival Purdue and ex-coach Joe Tiller, the Crimson and Cream feature "basketball on grass."  While last week's game with Illinois was done in less than three hours thanks to a steady diet of running plays from both teams, this game may drag on as IU is prepared to pass more than fifty times. 

Most Ohio State fans may be yawning about this matchup, considering IU has been a steady cellar dweller in the Big Ten and hasn't defeated the Buckeyes since 1988, but this isn't your father's Indiana Hooiser team.  Led by Ben Chappell, this squad is averaging 362 yards passing per contest, and plans to test a wounded OSU secondary that may want to make sure there is oxygen available on the sideline.
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Mascot: Fighting Illini
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (62,870)
2009 Record: 3-9
2010 Record: 2-1
Head Coach: Ron Zook (sixth year at UI, 23-40; ninth year overall, 46-54)
Lettermen Returning: 48 (16 lost)
Retruning Starters: Offense - 5; Defense - 6; Specialists - 2
Base Offense: Power I and Ace (3 receivers)
Base Defense: 4-3
Returning Stars: RB Mikel Leshoure (pictured) & LB Martez Wilson

Notable Alumni:

Robert Ebert & Gene Shalit - Film Critics
Chief Illiniwek (Before he got banned due to political correctness)
Gene Hackman - Academy Award winning actor
Red Grange - Charter member of Pro Football Hall of Fame
Dick Butkus - Hall of Fame linebacker
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio - Actress
James Brady - Former Reagan Press Secretary known for hand gun control
Fazlur Khan - Designer and builder of Sears Tower in Chicago

Cheerleading Scouting Report:
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Illinois Preview:

Ohio State takes to the road for the first time this season, heading down the road to windy Champaign, Illinois to take on Ron Zook's Fighting Illini in a game that begins the Big Ten season for both squads.  After a week off, Illinois should be healthy and ready to go, and would love nothing more than to inflict a loss on the Buckeyes and end their hopes of a National Championship.

Although these two teams do not come from states that border one another, it has become a nasty rivarly through the years, possibly because for 89 staright years (1914 until 2002) the two played each other every season.  Of course it doesn't hurt that OSU and Illinois play for the Illibuck Trophy, a wooden turtle that bears the scores of previous games.  When this tradition began in 1925, the schools actually played for a live turtle, but after the tortoise met its demise in 1927 it was replaced by a carved wooden replica.  Whatever the reason, this has been a heated rivalry, and Illinois has caused the Buckeyes plenty of trouble through the years.
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Will Jordan Hall push for more carries?
Drew Thurman (11:46 am)

Check out our Know the Opposition feature for full information of EMU. Below we have five things to look for this afternoon, to keep things interesting as you watch the Buckeyes play a cupcake...

1) Watch to see if Saine and Herron finally break through.

Two weeks ago, we thought we had a First Team Big Ten running back in Brandon Saine. Since his 103 yards against Marshall though, Saine has managed just 55 yards on 27 carries. For you mathematicians, that means he has averaged just over two yards a carry in the last two games. Herron has been Herron in the first three games, and though he gets the tough yards, is not an explosive option out of the backfield. Lucky for both guys, they are playing the 112th ranked rushing defense today. So watch to see if the staff can get both of these guys back on track. Part of the issue thus far is the play calling, which has been focused on getting Pryor in rhythm. My guess is that this will change today, but will Saine or Herron step up? 

2) Watch to see if Jordan Hall or Jaamal Berry make a statement for more carries.

Thanks to slow start of aforementioned Boom and Zoom, there has been an outcry from Buckeye Nation to give the younger running backs an opportunity. Both Hall and Berry have gotten most of their carries in garbage time, which is tough to judge, but each have definitely passed the looks test. Obviously the staff has both guys helping on special teams, but I think if the running game continues to look anemic, the Buckeyes could need one of these guys down the stretch. So watch to see if one of these youngsters shines today. Also watch to see how they block and how dependable they are with the ball. A missed assignment leading to a sack or a fumble could really hurt the opportunity for future PT. 

3) Watch to see if someone steps up at the No. 3 wide receiver spot.

Through three games, the preseason predictions have come true for the Buckeye passing attack. DeVier Posey, Dane Sanzenbacher and Jake Stoneburner are dependable as expected, but who is the guy at the No. 3 wideout spot? Between Grant Schwartz, Taurian Washington, Corey Brown and Chris Fields there is not a guy who has more than 20 yards receiving. They have all had moments of solid play, but none of them have showed the ability to be a big time, every play receiver. They should all get some major reps today at EMU, watch to see who emerges.   
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Rynearson Stadium with the usual gameday crowd
Dave Thurman (7:28 am)

Mascot: Eagles
Stadium: Rynearson Stadium (30,200)
2009 Record: 0-12
2010 Record: 0-3
Head Coach: Ron English (2nd season, 0-15)
Letterman Returning: 44 (18 lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 8; Defense - 7; Specialists - 0
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Ace (3 Wideouts)
Returning Stars: QB Alex Gillett & DE Javon Reese

Notable Alumni:

Bob Welch - MLB pitcher (1990 Cy Young Award winner)
Judge Greg Mathis - Television personality
Barry Gordy - Founder of Motown Records
John Harvey Kellogg - Co-founder of Kellogg's Corn Flakes
George Gervin - NBA Hall of Famer
Stan Heath - NCAA basketball coach

Cheerleading Scouting Report:

Click here for photo and bio

Eastern Michigan Overview:

The Eagles stumble into Columbus with a couple of clipped wings, having lost fifteen straight games.  Coach Ron English took over a struggling program, and has not been able to turn things around.  In fact, he has yet to win his first game at Eastern Michigan.  One would have to go back a long way to find this weak of an opponent on the Buckeye schedule, and that includes FCS rival Youngstown State.  Although neither Marshall or Ohio put up much of a fight, they were at least bowl teams in 2009.  Eastern hasn't seen the post season since 1987.  One wonders what kind of psyche the Eagles bring into this game, and whether or not they have any competitive spirit left in them.  They started the year with two close lossess but were then annihilated by Central Michigan a week ago.

On offense it all begins with Alex Gillett, a duel threat quarterback who is having a nice season.  He has hit 57.6% of his passes, tossing four touchdowns, and has run for another 172 yards and a score.  He is certainly the brightest light on a mediocre offense.  Interestingly his backup is redshirt freshman and Cleveland native Devontae Payne, who has a great deal of potential and may get the chance to play quite a bit.
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