Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer spoke for a bit on Tuesday’s Big Ten coaches teleconference. He answered questions about his team and also took a look forward to Saturday’s trip to Iowa City. Here are the highlights.
+ How has J.T. Barrett responded to criticism? “He’s an old veteran” who has responded as you would expect. Barrett has seen it all and has had slip ups and great moments. He could write a book. There was never any internal issues or doubts with Barrett. As to Barrett’s struggles early in the season, Meyer put it on everybody. The team didn’t play well and sometimes things happen in college football.
+ Meyer will watch the reaction his team has following a big win and make sure they are focused on the task ahead. “They’re very professional” but he will watch the team closely, especially the younger players or younger coaches. He will look for a change in anything that is not the way they have done things all season.
+ The OSU defensive staff is impressed with Iowa’s offensive skill and the offensive line is the first or second-best they’ve seen this year. Linebacker Josey Jewell is very good. Meyer loves him and Jewell plays football the right way like Iowa always has.
+ Meyer doesn’t think the days of coaches being around for 20 years is going to last much longer. Iowa is a model of consistency, which you would expect out of Iowa people and midwestern people.
+ The offense against Penn State played well, especially against one of the best defenses in the nation. The fourth quarter was extraordinary, aside from the fumble. The kicking debacle was troubling, but the offense was pleasing.
+ Kickoff coverage will have some changes in personnel. “Have to keep re-evaluating.”