Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer spent a few minutes on this week’s Big Ten coaches teleconference. He spoke a little bit about last week’s loss to Oklahoma and also answered some question about the challenges that remain, including this week’s contest against Army. Here are the highlights.
+ Asked if J.T. Barrett needs to “cut it loose” more, Meyer said he won’t get into those conversations, but there are areas all over the offense that need to improve.
+ Meyer thinks the offense needs to be more creative and take more chances. He said it’s being addressed this week.
+ The service academies all use a difficult defense to prepare for and the wishbone offense, which is no easier. Army is playing at a high level right now.
+ The message for the defense this week is the same as it is for the rest of the program. They’re not playing particularly smart right now and they’re not doing what they’re taught to do.
+ Meyer believes J.T. Barrett can lead this team like Tim Tebow did after his speech following a loss to Ole Miss back in 2008. “Without question I do.”
+ It’s difficult to manage the task at hand and win, and also to make sure the passing game gets improved. But it has to happen.
+ Part of the process right now on defense is making sure the young players who are playing are continuing to improve.
+ Option football can create big plays, and that’s what is missing from the Ohio State offense. There are three ways to get that to happen. You either break a long one with the tailback, or get it through the option game, or execution in the passing game. They are working to make all three viable possibilities.