After a stomping Michigan State on national television last week, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer took to 97.1 The Fan's airwaves with Paul Keels and Jim Lachey on Thursday to discuss all things Buckeye football and preview Saturday's hosting of Illinois.
"Our offensive line is one of our most improved areas of our team. That was against a rugged defensive line. ... Our offensive staff did a lot of good things with that ... but what's a game plan without execution?"
Coaches expected the Mike Weber we saw against Michigan State at the beginning of the year. In their gold, red, and blue rankings of players, Weber moved into the gold group this summer. "He's 100% healthy now."
Demetrius Knox is playing through an unspecified injury suffered against Iowa.
On Billy Price: "I'm not sure where he'll get drafted, but I know if you're starting a football team you start with the center. He'd be my No. 1 pick."
"Sacks are like a turnover," Meyer noted of Nick Bosa's sack that killed an early Michigan State drive.
"It was a stressful situation around here Wednesday," when the team found out Dante Booker and Jerome Baker couldn't play. Lauded Chris Worley, Tuf Borland, and Malik Harrison, who made his first career start, for their play in the new mix.
COFFEE WITH THE COACH QUESTION FROM SAM IN EAST LIVERPOOL: Process on redshirting a player?
- "Pretty complicated. I think they're going to change the rule where players can play four games at any time."
- A handful of guys they want to play right now but won't to save eligibility.
The staff tried to transition Demario McCall to H-Back but kept him at running back due to Antonio Williams' injuries. "We're not real deep at running back right now, but have some guys coming in next year that will provide instant depth if everything goes through with recruiting."
It's easy to recruit running backs at Ohio State. Carlos Hyde started for Meyer and Ezekiel Elliott "took it to another level." Players want to be the next Zeke now. The spread also prevents backs from taking punishing hits from extra guys stuffed into the box against traditional offenses.
The 2014 receiving group was "the best blocking receivers I've ever had," and the 2017 group is "pretty close" to that.
"There are very good players we have walked away from because they didn't fit our culture," Meyer said of recruiting wide receivers. At Ohio State, receivers must earn their bones on special teams.
What made Michael Thomas special is he wasn't in a hurry to jump to the NFL. Noted he went to military school, redshirted at Ohio State, and then played an extra year in Columbus.
Is Ben Victor playing his best football? "There's so much left with him. I have yet to see his ceiling. ... He was just a little raw. People are going to remember him around here."
"SOCIAL MEDIA" QUESTION: December Early Signing Day, how has it changed recruiting during the season?
- "During the season, not much. But these next three weeks will get crazy."
- Hoping 95% of the class will be signed by December, which should lead to an anti-climatic signing day.
- Traditionally, where Ohio State would go try to flip a player after an unexpected NFL departure, those players may already be signed. "I'm not sure it's good, but now's not the time for debate. It's over."
Meyer lamented the the targeting penalties past two weeks. They've talked about it; he doesn't want his players doing it, and they're moving on.
Illinois' defensive speed is "decent," and they try to keep the ball in front of them. Praised Illini freshman wide receiver Ricky Smalling. "You can tell [Lovie Smith] is building for the future. We hope he has a fine future... just not on Saturday."
On Drue Chrisman not giving up a return yard: "Don't jinx us," Meyer joked.
MIKE IN LONDON: What's it going to be like saying goodbye to J.T. Barrett?
- "This might be a bit dramatic, but I equate it to my oldest daughter going off to college."
- "The good thing is there's so much football to be played."
- Meyer can't say every senior gave everything Meyer asked, but he can about Barrett and Tyquan Lewis.
Quote with no context: "John Hankins, you kidding me? What a great human being."
On the Illibuck: "It's the second-longest standing in the Big Ten conference." They spoke with the team about the history of the trophy to the team last night. "It's one we don't take lightly. It's one we have to win."
[Full replay at 971thefan.com]
