COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer spoke with the media following practice on Wednesday. He provided updates on his football team and looked ahead to Saturday’s matchup against Michigan State. Here are the highlights.
+ Defensive touchdowns aren’t necessarily cyclical. A lot of it has to do with personnel. Malik Hooker had a skill for it. There has been no change in the emphasis.
+ The team has had a good week of practice this week. They have responded well, but will have more of those conversations this week.
+ They expect to see some of the stuff this week from MSU’s offense that they saw from Iowa, so they have been working on those fixes this week.
+ This is a game between two very good programs. “It is a rivalry…” There is always a lot on the table when these two teams play.
+ How well a team bounces back from a devastating loss depends on the team. There’s psychology involved, but the team still has to respond.
+ The team has moved forward. They didn’t play well on defense and turned the ball over on offense.
+ Game planning is preparing for the expected and unexpected. The coaches need to make better adjustments. It also depends on the players being able to execute those changes.
+ MSU quarterback Brian Lewerke is a guy that deceptively fast and he creates a lot of plays on his own. He’s a very accurate thrower and a winner.
+ MSU has a very good defense with very good personnel. They are intent on stopping the run and OSU is intent on running the ball. “These games are won or lost up front.”
+ Meyer feels good about throwing downfield. “We’ve worked so damn hard at it.” Very comfortable with where they are in that regard.
+ Part of the job is to evaluate if Saturday was just a bad day or if there were long-running reasons. Saying it was a bad day is too easy. You have to find out why, which can be difficult as you move forward for the next game.
+ Trevon Grimes is still in Florida. He is finishing classes online. Meyer thinks the plan is for him to return. “I think so.”
+ MSU runs a 4-3 quarters defense, which allows an extra run defender around the ball. It’s hard to run the ball against them and they force you to throw over the top.
+ OSU has to be able to run the ball this week. They want balance, but the running game has to be there.
+ Meyer has talked to Kevin Wilson about needing J.K. Dobbins to touch the ball.