With a chance to clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana this weekend, Ohio State find itself on the cusp of returning to the place where its dreams of a league crown and national title berth fell apart last season.
And after moving up two spots to No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Buckeyes are in the thick of a national picture that will be settled in less than a month.
Naturally, head coach Urban Meyer was coy about the matter.
“Beat Indiana,” he quipped Wednesday after practice, laughing.
“It never really comes up, I think everybody knows. I do mention it, usually on a Sunday meeting (and) I haven’t talked to them since. I guess it came out Tuesday night. We just have to take care of business and practice well.”
Notes:
- Meyer on managing the hype surrounding a potential Heisman campaign for redshirt freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett: “That’s probably true, I think so. That’s real. (But) this kid’s so grounded, that’s a credit to his family. If I saw it, I’d certainly jump in the middle of that
- Meyer said junior nickel Armani Reeves is back after missing the last three games because of an undisclosed injury. “He had a good week in practice, he’s ready to go.” Added Meyer: “Armani’s a great kid and a heck of a player, an emotional guy and give us a little spark.”
- Meyer said Dontre Wilson, who broke his foot against Michigan State, remains out and reserve running back and valued special teamer Bri’onte Dunn is “good to go.” Meyer added: “I think he’s full speed now.”
- Meyer on Indiana coach Kevin Wilson: “I’ve known Kevin Wilson 20 years, I think he’s a great football coach, coached against when he was at Oklahoma, coached against him when he was at Northwestern and they’ve had some unfortunate injuries this year at quarterback but I think they’re a fine team.”
- Meyer on what’s ailing a porous Hoosier defense: “I don’t know, I always like to look at the positives, I don’t look at their issues. They’re big, gigantic up front. Over 300 pounds and they run that odd slant angle stuff, they have that new coordinator … they blitz almost every snap.”
