COLUMBUS – Although Ohio State ended up winning its season opener at Indiana last Thursday by 28 points, Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer said Monday that his team needs to play better in Saturday's home opener against Oklahoma.
"We got to get better in certain areas," Meyer said.
After coming away from Bloomington with a 49-21 win, the Buckeyes have forged ahead into their preparation for Saturday's game, a nationally televised primetime matchup (7:30 p.m., ABC) that will pit two top-10-ranked teams and College Football Playoff contenders.
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer met with the media at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Monday afternoon to preview that game as well as wrap up the season-opening victory.
Meyer confirmed that Ohio State running back Mike Weber, who missed the season opener with a hamstring injury, is expected to play on Saturday. It has not yet been determined whether Weber or J.K. Dobbins will start at running back, but Meyer said both will play.
Here's what else you need to know from Meyer's press conference:
- Defensive player of the Indiana game was Tyquan Lewis. Other defensive champions from the game were Jalyn Holmes, Nick Bosa, Dre'Mont Jones, Sam Hubbard, Tracy Sprinkle and Jordan Fuller.
- J.K. Dobbins and Parris Campbell were offensive players of the game. Offensive champions were J.T. Barrett, K.J. Hill, Johnnie Dixon, Terry McLaurin and all five offensive linemen.
- Amir Riep, Austin Mack, Drue Chrisman and Elijaah Goins were singled out for the plays they made on special teams. Riep was special teams player of the game.
- Meyer is "disappointed in certain areas" from the Indiana game, including the fact that Ohio State's offense had four three-and-outs in the first half.
- Ohio State's cornerbacks were humbled by their performance against Indiana on Thursday.
- Meyer said he not think of the comparison between Tate Martell and Baker Mayfield, but that Martell could be used to simulate Mayfield in scout-team work.
- Meyer does not expect Oklahoma's head coaching change from Bob Stoops to Lincoln Riley to change much from last year because the Sooners still have the same coordinators.
- Defensive line rotation was vital to Ohio State's defensive success against Indiana, because of how many plays the Hoosiers ran (95 total, 65 passing plays).
- Richard Lagow's performance against Ohio State on Thursday was the "most accurate performance" he had ever seen from the Indiana quarterback.
- What does J.T. Barrett have to do if other coaches, like Indiana's Tom Allen said after Thursday's game, believe he is not an accurate quarterback? "Prove his accuracy." Meyer believes Barrett is a "very accurate passer."
- Eric Glover-Williams' departure from the team was due to a "school conduct issue." Meyer did not elaborate on what the specific issue was.
Check back with Eleven Warriors for further coverage from Ohio State this afternoon, as defensive coordinator Greg Schiano and several players, including quarterback J.T. Barrett and center Billy Price, are scheduled to meet with the media following Meyer's press conference.
