Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer spoke for a few minutes on Tuesday’s Big Ten coaches teleconference. He provided some updates on his football team and also looked ahead to Saturday’s game against Penn State. Here are the highlights.
+ Asked what the biggest change he’s seen from the team since the Oklahoma loss, Meyer said there were three areas that suffered the most and were exposed: the back end of the pass defense, the timing and execution of the passing game, and the offensive line play. “And all three are marked improved.”
+ Is this a career-defining game for J.T. Barrett? Any quarterback who has played as many games as he has has played in several of them. This is a very important game but it’s not “the one.”
+ Meyer said he budgets 20 minutes to a half hour for the coaches poll each week. He asks about statistics and schedules and things of that nature. Asked if the poll still has merit, he said, “I have no idea.”
+ Barrett’s response following early-season criticism isn’t a surprise. You see what you get and he sees it every day since the first day he ever shook his hand. Meyer sees what everybody else doesn’t. He is consistent and tough and that has never wavered.
+ Meyer said the team had an identity offensively and defensively before the Oklahoma game. They just didn’t coach and execute very well. There has never been any misunderstanding about what the offense and defense is at Ohio State. There has also been improvement in the players who haven’t played much before this season.
+ What separates Saquon Barkley is his competitiveness. He watched him on television this weekend and was very impressed. “He competes so damn hard.” That’s what makes him so special. That’s the common trait of winners.
+ Meyer doesn’t want to say one Penn State defensive lineman is better than any other because they are all good.
+ Isaiah Prince has improved in all areas. He practices very well and his approach in everything has improved. “This will be a great challenge for him.”
+ Meyer is glad Jerome Baker is a Buckeye. “This is a critical, critical game for him.” “The great ones play their best in games like this and they also lift other ones up.”
Some of you guys are putting too much pressure on JT. Let him alone and if he is successful, its because he was comfortable and not pressured. If he doesn’t get good blocking from our OL, then he’ll find the going not so good. If they give him time, he will do just fine and the Bucks will win by at least one TD. Also, the pass defense must step up and take care of business. If the defensive ends and Outside Linebackers can put pressure on their pass receivers, that will help the DB’s. Then everybody must concentrate Barkley and McSorly. I believe the Offensive line will have a tough time, but will open up some holes for J K and M W. Go Bucks, put a hurt on those Nittany Lions!!
I hope the buckeyes are not conservative like most of our losses. They need to open it up and be well balanced. This has to be Barrett’s game he has to prove that he can play great in the big game. So come on Barrett don’t be afraid to take some chances.
If the defensive line cannot contain AND pressure McSorley it will be a long night. They just tackle well in space and wrap up. Also, do YOUR run fits, do your job. Hopefully, the rain and cold will enable OSU to run the ball and not depend on throwing it 20 times a game. We have a bruiser and a darter use them.
I think the defense is going to have problems. I think they are going to have problems covering the tight end and running backs. Barkley will have a monster game, so I have Penn St winning by 13.
Great minds think alike. Tressellball lives ! Go Bucks !
Not to quibble Coach, but if JT wants to be known as a National Championship QB, this week’s game IS the one to make that statement – up to this point. This week’s might not be the the final “The One,” but it has to be considered the most important in his career to this point.
This is one of the key defining moments for JTB, if he doesn’t win Saturday, he will never get the full glory of a record setting OSU QB, because that loss will lock him out of all of the biggest game and a 2nd tier bowl game will be anything less than satisfying.