With the bye week over and Minnesota on tap, Urban Meyer took to 97.1 The Fan's airwaves to discuss all things Buckeye football with Paul Keels and Jim Lachey.
Urban noted that they practice crazy special teams scenarios like punting against 11 blitzing men with nobody back. Also practice potential returns off long field goal attempts. ("We call that Bama.")
"I'm not trying to be critical" Brett from Grove City prefaced his critical question about the lack of Braxton Miller's touches in space with things like quick slants and end-arounds. Meyer noted defenses are pressing Braxton Miller on the outside, but that allowed him to make a down-the-field play against Rutgers. They talk constantly about ways to get him the ball.
"The Big Ten right now is a very strong conference. I would anticipate we'll have a good bowl season."
On week-by-week CFP committee polls: "It cracked me up" when people said the playoff would eliminate chatter/speculation around polls. "We were 16th this time last year; nothing besides having a good Thursday practice is important."
On where Ezekiel Elliott can improve: Consistency. Meyer noted the message to the team is to not get bored with winning. A majority of the team wasn't at Ohio State when it lost seven games in 2011.
"[Minnesota's] kicker is good as is their coverage units... Special teams will be the difference."
On the Gopher secondary: "They played almost zero coverage against our rivals and challenged them to throw the ball." Meyer expects Minnesota to try to take away Ezekiel Elliott and make Cardale beat them.
On the Gophers: "Very good at what they do." The Minnesota game last year "was one of the toughest games we've ever played in." They "should've beat our rivals."
Ohio State's weekly goal is 250 yards passing and 250 yards rushing. Right now, they're at 247 rushing and 217 passing, but that doesn't concern Urban Meyer because they've "always been run-first."
The interior line was "just okay" in replacing the injured Tommy Schutt. Donovan Munger and Michael Hill are two guys that they "need more" from. "They're young but tick tick tick. We gotta get them going."
Jalin Marshall's punt returning ability "has been very good."
Malik Hooker is the first name off Meyer's lips when asked about kick coverage guys standing out. Tyvis Powell, Ezekiel Elliott, and Gareon Conley are past coverage alums that turned coverage production into a starting job.
Would Urban be interested in PATs being moved back like in the NFL? "I have no idea. I've never thought about it."
Dontre Wilson is questionable for Minnesota.
Curtis Samuel, who was "dinged up" is healthy now. Braxton Miller is "on fire right now" (assumedly not literally), and Parris Campbell is due to come back next week vs. Illinois.
"Our two tight ends are more involved than they've ever been."
Cardale Jones "has looked very good" this week in practice.
"We went pads on Tuesday and Wednesday and really went after it." Meyer was pleased that there was no pushback from his players, which he credited to the team's leadership.
Urban Meyer said the bye week schedule "depends on the team you have." If they're young and bad, you "have to beat them up a bit." With a veteran team, it's more about maintaining momentum.
It's the time we all know and love! The coach's show! Lachey and Keels currently chopping it up as they await Urban Meyer, who like a wizard arrives when he wants.
