The bye week allowed Ryan Day and the Buckeyes some much-needed time off, but Ohio State has already dove head-first into preparation for Iowa as game week begins.
During his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Fan's Buckeye Roundtable program on Monday, Day said Ohio State tries to "steal an extra practice" during its open week every year, and that this past week wasn't any different. Day said that has helped allow the Buckeyes to "get ahead gameplan-wise" as they seek to start the back half of their regular season strong against the Hawkeyes in Columbus this Saturday.
Day said Iowa will try to run the ball, stop the run and control the clock once the game kicks off at noon this weekend, and thinks the highly-rated Hawkeye defense will change things up to throw the Buckeye offense off.
Day discussed more about the Buckeyes' bye week schedule, their preparation for Iowa and what he did with a rare off day over the weekend. He also said the down time allowed the Buckeye coaches to evaluate the team's performance through the first six games, and that while Ohio State has "done some good things" thus far, "none of our goals have been met."
Check out a list of bullet points on everything Day said Monday during his radio appearance below:
Ryan Day
- Day says "as long as you keep things as regular as possible," the Buckeyes can keep their routine through the bye week. Day says it was good for some Buckeyes to get some time off, though.
- The bye week gives Ohio State a chance to evaluate its personnel, younger guys that could step up down the stretch and its upcoming opponents, Day says.
- Day says the Buckeyes try to "steal an extra practice" during the bye week. "It allows us to get ahead gameplan-wise."
- On the medical staff, Day says the program starts every day with an injury report from the athletic training staff. "They do such an unbelievable job of getting guys back on the field." Day says OSU's medical staff is "the best in the country."
- Day says Ohio State works on third downs, short-yardage and goalline packages on Wednesday, and that it's usually "the most hectic part of the week."
- On scout team standouts, Day says "it's important for everybody to embrace their role, whether it's a role they envisioned for the year or not." Day says the scout team "takes a lot of pride" in giving the right look for the Buckeye starters.
- "We've done some good things the first half of the season, but none of our goals have been met." Day says "everything's gonna be harder as we head down the stretch here." Day senses a "high energy" from the Buckeyes heading into the final six games of the regular season.
- On Iowa: "A very well-coached team." Day says Iowa "knows their offense and defense better than their opponents, and they take a lot of pride in that." Day says Iowa will look to win the game by running the ball and stopping the run.
- Day says the Hawkeye secondary has things that can throw the Buckeyes off. "When they do mix it up, it makes a big difference."
- On having a rare day off, Day says he took some family photos, watched football and took his kids and some friends to a haunted house/corn maize: "We had a blast, the kids had a blast and it was good to feel somewhat normal for a weekend."
