Ohio State's players had to embarrassed after last week's 26-18 loss to Purdue. The Buckeyes seemed unprepared for everything the Boilermakers threw at them. They admitted as much this week, in the days leading up to Saturday's game against Minnesota.

Coach Jim Tressel said he and his staff didn't do a great job of convincing the Buckeyes of the challenge they'd face in West Lafayette, Ind., and defensive lineman Todd Denlinger was among the players who admitted there had been too few of them studying film and putting in the necessary work in practice to prepare for Purdue.

That must have changed as Ohio State prepared for Minnesota. The Buckeyes turned in a crisp performance for the most part, with just a couple of glitches, and woundup crushing Minnesota, 38-7. Not bad when you consider that the Golden Gophers were among the teams who had beaten the Boilermakers rather convincingly earlier in the season.

The Buckeyes (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten Conference) led just 7-0 at halftime, but it soon became evident -- albeit after a game-opening three-and-out -- that the offense had come to play. Terrelle Pryor looked like a different quarterback and his receivers ran good routes. The offensive line actually protected Pryor and opened holes for the running backs.

Ohio State's vaunted defensive front four, which had been dominant leading up to the Purdue game, did little against the Boilermakers and quarterback Joey Elliott, a first-year starting senior. He looked like the second coming of Drew Brees.

That also changed against Minnesota. Defensive end Thaddeus Gibson had three of the Buckeyes' four sacks against Golden Gophers quarterbacks Adam Weber and MarQueis Gray. Once wide receiver Eric Decker went out with a first-quarter ankle injury, Minnesota's offense ground to a halt until a meaning score with 4:15 to play.

Cynics will say this marked improvement came against Minnesota. Ohio State needs to play well next week against New Mexico State, too, in order to take some momentum into a key matchup at Penn State on Nov. 7. Then it's back home against unbeaten Iowa, and the regular-season finale at Michigan.

Tressel said the Buckeyes want to show they can still compete for a Big Ten title and the best possible bowl berth. Their victory Saturday was a step in the right direction after back-to-back performances some called uninspired or just down right awful, especially on offense.

At least Pryor and his teammates on offense did something to quiet their critics and boost their confidence. It's almost time for the stretch run.