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.”