To most fans, this Saturday’s game at Minnesota is a speed bump on Ohio State’s Big Ten schedule ‹ barely a contest compared to the season finale against Michigan.Upholding standard coaches’ etiquette, coach John Cooper disagrees with that sentiment.”Minnesota’s a dangerous team,” he said. As proof he cited the team’s “gutsy performance” at Happy Valley two weeks ago when the Gophers almost upset top-ranked Penn State. Cooper said the Buckeyes are focused on Minnesota and that the team pays little attention to the bowl scenarios being tossed around by members of the local sports media.The scenarios give the Buckeyes a better chance of winning the National Championship than going back to the Rose Bowl. Either or both would require a lot of help.Providing the Buckeyes win the remaining games against Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan, Penn State would have to lose two of its final four games for the Buckeyes to return to Pasadena. It’s more likely that Penn State will lose to Michigan on Saturday and coast through the rest of its schedule. “If I’m not No. 1, I’m definitely the No. 2 greatest Michigan fan this week,” defensive back Damon Moore said. “I’m definitely going to be humming the Michigan fight song every time I see the score. I want the Big Ten title.”If Penn State beats Michigan and the other opponents left on its schedule, the Nittany Lions would play for the roses. This would offer the best chance for the Buckeyes to have a shot at the national title. The No. 7 Buckeyes would have to leapfrog at least four teams by the end of the regular season ‹ not entirely out of the question considering some of the tough games that face the teams ahead of the Buckeyes. Penn State, the probable No. 2, would have to lose to the Pac Ten winner in the Rose Bowl, and the Buckeyes, the probable No. 3, would have to beat No. 1 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.”That’s assuming a lot of things,” said former OSU linebacker and current radio sportscaster Ryan Miller. “Too many things.”Cooper agrees.He said the team needs only to worry about winning and the extraneous things, like a national title, will take care of themselves.Cooper said Minnesota (2-7) has a few weapons to worry about.He said Gopher senior quarterback Cory Sauter can change a game quickly.Sauter has completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,110 yards and six touchdowns with only five interceptions. The three-year starter has led the Gophers to two 43-point performances ‹ both losses.Sauter’s favorite target is wide receiver Tutu Artwell, who has reeled in 42 passes for 620 yards.Artwell also has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and ranks 13th nationally with a return average 27-yards a kickoff.”We’ve got to keep our focus against them,” Cooper said. “We’re doing everything to guard against looking past Minnesota. I’m not saying we’re not going to be thinking about what happens in Happy Valley. I just hope we go and take care of our business.”Associated Press has contributed to this story.