The biggest talking point entering last night’s game against Minnesota was the suspension of starting quarterback J.T. Barrett, who had the offense humming and had built up a couple of weeks of momentum for Ohio State’s offense. The Buckeyes had dominated the last three halves of football they played entering the bye week but Barrett’s OVI charge shook things up a bit.
Meanwhile, the Golden Gophers were a yard and a couple plays of botched clock management away from upsetting Michigan last week in their first game after Jerry Kill’s sudden retirement for health reasons. Minnesota came to Columbus hoping to hang with the Buckeyes the way they had at home against the Wolverines.