Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer took questions during Tuesday afternoon’s Big Ten coaches teleconference. He answered questions about his Buckeye team as well as questions about Saturday’s upcoming matchup against Nebraska. The Huskers have won two in a row while Ohio State has had to stew for a week following a loss to Purdue. Here are the highlights of what Meyer had to say.
+ Asked if they were able to determine the root of the defense’s problems. He said number one is missed tackles and number two was penalties that kept drives alive. They are also looking at scheme adjustments as well to make sure they have the right players in the right places.
+ They have also made adjustments for the running game that they feel good about. Now it’s executing and putting the right schemes on against Nebraska’s defense.
+ Dre’Mont Jones is elite. “He’s our guy.” He was unblockable at times in the spring. There is a lot of football left and he is one of the best players on the team. He has an incredible mom and dad and is serious about his education. He has never been a problem once.
+ Robert Landers hasn’t been the same this year due to injuries, but he is full speed now and he is bringing a lot of energy. Thayer Munford has been managed well too last week because of injuries, but he’s ready to go.
+ Meyer thought they’d be better in the pass rush this year. There’s a variety of reasons why, but they need to get it working.
+ Wyatt Davis is very close to playing. They have talked about that. “He has to be one of our most-improved players from the summer until now.”
+ Offensively, they’d like to be 250-250, but it depends on what kind of quarterback you have and what kind of defense you are seeing. Regardless, you have to have balance. “That has to happen.”
+ Isaiah Prince has performed “pretty good.” There have been times where he had some issues. Overall, the body of work has been very good.
+ Damon Arnette, Jeff Okudah, and C.J. Saunders are all cleared and will play this week.
+ Asked why he still wants to coach, Meyer said he loves the game, loves the players, and loves the university and wants to do this as long as possible.
+ This is a completely different Nebraska team than they saw a year ago. And it’s a different team than what they were earlier in the season.
+ There is still a sting and a bad taste and they want to fix it.
+ Since Meyer arrived in the Big Ten, the coaching has improved at every school. Walkovers don’t exist anymore in the Big Ten and that’s a credit to the schools.
+ J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber are both frustrated, “as we all are.” The offensive line is frustrated as well. The RBs also have to make their own holes. “They’re prideful guys and they want to rip through and get some big yards.”
Lots of happy coach speak which anybody but an eight year old has finally gotten sick of. It’s more sickening than Halloween candy. Mr. T “pities the fools” who drink Urban’s Kool-Aid. $MCoach$M can’t be honest. He needs to stop talking so much and get to work. His condescending pressers are addressed to children who need constant handholding and reassurance which describes many fans. Looking forward to the Cornhuskers to see how the teams measure up and if Urban’s “A Team” can stop the collapse. Again I quote Mr. T, “I pity the fool” who still believes OSU should be in the top four. If Urban doesn’t get his team together and it’s looking like he’s incapable of that, the Michigan game could be another debacle. It could make Purdue look like a Sunday school picnic. I hear the ominous, deep roar of the falls ahead even at this distance that Urban and his 3 Stooges are going to take this team over as they’re still figuring out what that paddle was for with them way up shite creek. Get the excuses ready, Urban. You have 3-1/2 weeks to come up with them. Better come clean and admit your coordinators are all mistakes and replace them. You need one of each coordinator, Offensive and Defense. Save your money. Have 2-4 team captains who are seniors or juniors and some true leaders instead of parrots. Cut the childish gimmick jerseys. You want to use a throwback once in a while that’s fine. Scarlet and gray with white is my suggestion. Urban’s presser creeped me out better than any Halloween costume. He should try dressing some guys up in costumes as an offensive line and a defense.
TALK…TALK…TALK…..I love Coach Meyer, but until I see a Dominating Ohio State football team that plays with some desire, and HEART, I don’t believe a word any of this horrible staff says. I know Coach wants to be positive in things he says, but he builds up these players and their performances, but we watch the games and they tell a completely different story than what he says…….sorry , when I SEE results, I’ll believe him.
@Kurt Mews….I couldn’t agree with you more. Are the coaching really just trying to prop Prince up? I also found it interesting that the man who has been the most offensive (see what I did there?) in terms of penalties was also the one who talked to the team about their loss to Pur-Don’t. This is one of the worst one-loss teams in the Nation. Hey but at least we got rid of Joe Burrow….no wait…Burrow has his team sitting at #4.
CFP poll came out and LSU is #3, but they will play #1 Alabama and will lose this Saturday.
Burrow is good player but he’s not better then Haskins. LSU just has a lot better defense then osu has this yr that’s why LSU is sitting 3. Osu should be sitting number 2 but they blew that at Purdue
Burrow is more than good player…he has led his team to quality wins over ranked teams….Haskins is one dimensional! Are you seriously thinking after watching OSU this year they would have deserved a #2 ranking? BTW…I am an OSU alum…but this year the team is or was over-rated….and we lost our best QB option!
Agree on both points. Burrow can scramble and improvise whereas Haskins simply cannot run. He’s a statue with a cannon attached. Without a good defense and some kid of running threat they’re just a mid-tier Big 12 team. The #2 was always absurd as was and is any fantasy about the CFB. I’m also an alumnus from way back.
“Kind”
“Overall Isaiah’s Prince work has been well.” Against MN, he had numerous holding calls and he couldn’t contain MN DE. Against PUR, anytime our RB squirted out for 5-8 yards Prince accompanied that with a hold so a 2nd and 2 turns into 1st and 20. How many times has Prince made sure we began a drive with 15 yards to go? Glad to hear adjustments, schemes and missed tackes, and NE is not the same team in September,but most importantly the OL is frustrated, good and there back side should be a little sore as well. No, I’m not sure how Dobbins and Weber can find holes when two defenders are gang tackling them. However, I’m rather encouraged, at least until kick off.