With Western Michigan in the rearview mirror and Indiana on tap Urban Meyer joined Paul Keels, the voice of the Buckeyes, and former All-American Jim Lachey for the The Coach's Show on 97.1 The Fan.
If a player has earned the right to ask Meyer for the ball, then he'll get the ball. Caveat: "I don't want to hear it in the press or from Uncle Joe." It's something he learned from Cris Carter.
On big in-game decision input from players: "You don't open your mouth around here unless you've earned it."
"That's what sets a great leader apart... to not only analyze the statistical data but measure the human spirit."
Urban sat in the box one year. "It was awful. You can see things a lot better but you can't feel the human spirit."
Caller: Do players and coaches overthink things some times? "I think we all know the answer to that.. but to say you don't go with your gut is wrong."
Urban does marvel at the evolution of offense in the sport, but says the concepts remain the same. "We're a power team that runs out of spread formations."
Jalin Marshall is "starting to stretch defenses a little bit."
The game has changed. "It used to be win the conference, beat Michigan." There weren't things "like the BCS," etc. "But we like that change, obviously."
Caller asks on the team's difference in preparation between out-of-conference and Big Ten play: "There is no difference... There used to be a day where [out-of-conference] games didn't matter, but I don't remember it."
Marshon Lattimore "will be playing the nickel."
"Joey Bosa doesn't have the sacks he did last year, but he sure is disruptive."
Urban does not like to punt from between the opponents 30 and 40. "Sometimes you just have to take your shot."
Caller asks about how Urban Meyer decides to go for it on fourth-and-short: "It depends on the field position, and how we're playing defense." "We do not like to punt." The famous fourth-and-short against Michigan last year was decided by the offensive line.
Indiana is "a very good offensive team; they're up there in nearly every category." This is the best Indiana offensive line they've faced since Urban's arrival in Columbus. "Defensively... they're giving up some yards... they're going through a transition." Notes they lost a very good player (Darius Latham) to suspension.
"We wanted to be the aggressor [on offense], and it worked. I would anticipate that you'll continue to see that."
Dontre Wilson "had a tough injury," but has "been working hard to get back to where he needs to be." "He's never been a full-time player because he's never been big and strong enough." But Urban is convinced this is the year he puts it together.
"You'll see some more of Dontre Wilson this week."
The outside blocking is "getting better," but "not what we expect."
WMU got a lot of big interior runs, which is "uncharacteristic" of the defense.
Urban says Western Michigan's "No. 84" (Corey Davis) will be in the NFL one day. The defense goal was to not let Davis behind the defense, and Urban feels they accomplished that. WMU WR Daniel Braverman drew praise too.
Urban Meyer agrees with Lachey and Keels: The offense's start was good to see. They didn't play "exceptionally," however, but they played "very well."
Lachey and Keels concur: The offense's 14-0 start was key to the start against Western Michigan. Lachey calls out Elflein for a couple of "nice blocks."
Full replay available through 97.1 The Fan.
