With Minnesota Over, It is Officially Michigan Wolverines Week For Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes navigated their Minnesota Golden Gophers speed bump with ease. And now, it's on to Ohio State

The Ohio State Buckeyes dispatched the Minnesota Golden Gophers easily on Saturday, winning in an easy 37-3 decision at Ohio Stadium. 

It was a game that many considered to be a possible trap game for the Buckeyes. Maybe not a potential loss, but a distraction that looked - even through one half of play - like it could carry a sloppy brand of football.

However, after an explosive start to the second half, the Buckeyes proved otherwise, breaking the game wide open less than five minutes into the third quarter.

And now with the win in hand, the Buckeyes can officially shift their focus to the game that has been on the periphery of everyone's minds for the entire season - the showdown with their arch-rival Michigan Wolverines on Nov. 25. 

The week will surely not come without distractions, or headline stories. There will be smack talk, controversy, scrutiny, and everything in between. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

But this year's edition of 'The Game' will carry something different. It won't just be bragging rights, or broken streaks or egos. And it won't have much to do with recruiting.

Sure, the game will come with what has become its typical Big Ten championship implications. Which, by proxy, will extend into the College Football Playoff nominations. 

Instead, thanks to Michigan's sign-stealing fiasco, an already fierce and contentious rivalry will take things to an even greater level of animosity between the two schools. 

It is a mix of emotions that could prove volatile in an already hotly contested game, both between the fans, and with the coaches and players. But that's ok. 

Michigan's Jim Harbaugh Suspended For Remainder Of Regular Season

Michigan asked for this. Whether they meant to or not, the Wolverines have emerged as college football's biggest villain

And the Buckeyes are ready to head to Ann Arbor and play hero. Everything until then will just be noise - extremely loud noise, but noise nonetheless. 

Kickoff from Michigan Stadium is set for 12 pm ET and will be broadcast on FOX.