COLUMBUS — Urban Meyer spoke with reporters on Monday for his weekly press conference where he provided updates on his football team and looked ahead to this Saturday’s upcoming game against Penn State. Here are the highlights.
+ “Obviously a huge game this week. Nick Bosa is still not ready.” He’s still a few weeks out.
+ Robert Landers will play this week.
+ Offensive balance is important, but if defenses are still giving Ohio State single coverage, the Buckeyes can execute against that very well with the passing game. Struggles against the run are dictated by how many defenders are in the box. Meyer is okay with being a little unbalanced towards the pass if they are executing as they have this season.
+ Meyer called Dwayne Haskins after the game Saturday night to remind him to just stay focused this week. In Columbus, “this is the show” and players are bigger than life. Haskins has been great so far in those terms. He has remained grounded.
+ Brian Snead may not make the trip as a violation of team rules that he is still being disciplined for.
+ Mike Weber will play.
+ Urban Meyer has not given any thought to a coach in waiting.
+ This OSU offense is very different than it has been in the past because of the passing game. Ryan Day and Kevin Wilson have utilized the skill set that the offense has very well. “It is our job as coaches to adapt” to the players on the team. They don’t recruit cookie cutter players. There are wide ranges of skill sets that they recruit.
+ The way the ball is run now is “completely different” now without the quarterback run. The reads are very different. There are new running concepts put in place this year as well. There is a significant number of new running plays in the offense.
+ There has been very positive feedback from quarterback recruits based on what the Ohio State offense is doing so far this year.
+ There have been conversations with Nick Bosa and his family about his future. Those conversations will continue when he is healthy. As a top draft pick, there are real conversations that have to take place. Bosa has told Meyer he wants to come back this season and play.
+ On the starting linebackers not recording a tackle last week, “That’s a very good question. I don’t have an answer for that.” Meyer was unaware of that stat.
+ Trace McSorley is a competitor.
+ The focus this week is that the most-prepared team will win and you’ll have to work hard to be that team.
+ Happy Valley is one of the top places to play in the country and you have to be ready for that environment. “It’s just a difficult place.” It’s a top five stadium in the nation.
+ Isaiah Prince is one of the most improved players Meyer has ever been around. He used to be a guy on the outside, but now he’s right in the middle of everything. His family should be very proud too.
+ The relationship between the quarterbacks and the quarterback coach is always key. Dwayne Haskins was close to being ready last year as a redshirt freshman, but not quite. The play this year by Haskins is the result of the maturation of a very good player.
+ There are established veterans who will be able to prepare this team for Happy Valley. Defensively they are still trying to establish more leaders.
+ By Wednesday or Thursday, the offensive staff needs to have their favorite plays ready for the defenses they are facing each week. When you have a lot of playmakers, it makes the process of getting them the ball easier. “You like to have a lot of choices.”
+ The defense has to have a completely different mentality when facing a dual-threat quarterback. Trace McSorley is a true spread quarterback, so the entire defense has to account for it.
+ Defensively, you just want to get McSorley down. You’re playing against 11.5 guys when you’re facing a QB who can run.
+ The quarterback is a product of the offensive line. They have done a great job of protecting Dwayne Haskins. The passing game is a cumulative effort. You need receivers who can get open and catch the ball. The Buckeyes have that this year.
+ Dwayne Haskins is even keeled and they’re trying to get him more vocal, but he’s doing a great job.
+ The Penn State offensive line is better. The running back is good, so is the tight end. He doesn’t see much difference at all in Penn State’s roster despite their losses.
+ The 2016 Penn State game will come up later in the week. That conversation isn’t happening yet. Talk like that depends on how practices are going and if the team needs a reminder of what this week means.