Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer took part in Tuesday’s weekly Big Ten coaches teleconference. Meyer provided some updates on the Buckeyes’ health, and also talked about the position battle at safety. Ohio State has Michigan State this week, which will provide a stiff test for the OSU running game. Does Meyer think his offense is ready? Here are the highlights.
+ The battle for the safety spot opposite Jordan Fuller has seen reps being split during practice. How practice goes this week will determine who starts.
+ Michigan State’s defensive front penetrates well. They are big and strong. The linebackers sit back and when the run surfaces, they hit it hard.
+ Tuesday and Wednesday practices are to get things fixed from the last week. They are healthy on defense finally, so that will help. MSU has good offensive talent and a good offensive line, so they can do multiple things. Asked if he was confident in his defense, Meyer said he’d know more next week.
+ The improvement in the running game was due to the offensive linemen playing better and the running backs running harder. “This will be a much more stiff challenge this week.”
+ The staff is hoping for more from the 2017 and 2018 classes this season. Those are two highly-rated classes, so they need more players to come through. Pete Werner, Baron Browning, and Jeff Okudah have done that. Chris Olave has stepped up as well. Josh Proctor is helping on special teams. Hoping for more active involvement out of the 2018 class.
+ Wyatt Davis has been mentioned quite often by Meyer. “He’s going to have a fine career here.” He has improved the way he finishes plays. They want to get him more involved, but it’s hard to break up the offensive line when you’ve got five guys playing together. He deserves more time.
+ Tate Martell is frustrated with playing time, but that’s a positive. He wants to play and he’s an elite competitor. They talk about how to get him involved every week.
+ Shaun Wade and Brendon White are competing for the starting spot, and Isaiah Pryor is also back and working. Right now, it’s between Wade and White, but Pryor can get in there with a good week of practice.
+ Jeremy Ruckert has improved as a blocker. He’s a very good pass catcher and they want to get him more involved in the passing game as well.
+ Asked why it’s difficult to win on the road in the Big Ten, Meyer said he thinks the Big Ten finally decided to be the best conference in America five or six years ago, and the result is difficult games every week.