With a bout against in-state rival Cincinnati looming this weekend, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer met with reporters for his weekly press conference Monday. Here's what you need to know:
- Meyer said Noah Spence, whose status remains up in the air after failing a second drug test, is no longer practicing with the team. “He’s not gonna practice now … he is working out, just for his well-being.” Meyer said he doesn’t like the idea of kicking Spence to the curb quite yet and maintained he and the Buckeyes have an obligation to get him help: “I’ve been criticized …. I’m not a big fan of dismissal, I don't’ do that very often.”
- Meyer raved about Cincinnati’s offense: “Offensively, they’ve been good in the past, they’re exceptional now.” Added Meyer: “We have a lot of respect for their skill ... We’ve got to be at our best, expect us to be that."
- Meyer reiterated how Bearcats head coach Tommy Tuberville’s comment that this is his best group of wide receivers caught his eye: “I know where he’s coached, so that struck a chord with me.”
- Meyer said Ohio State used the bye week to practice as hard as it typically would. “We practiced a lot of game reps … more game reps than we’ve ever done in a bye week.”
- Meyer said the Buckeyes are still trying to finalize a starting five on an offensive line that gave up seven sacks in a 35-21 loss to Virginia Tech on Sept. 7. “We have not made a final decision on that,” Meyer said. The Buckeyes will probably use a rotation of at least six guys.” Meyer said Jacoby Boren spent the week nursing a high-ankle sprain and Pat Elflein had “feet issues” though is healthy enough to play. Meyer said Chase Farris and Antonio Underwood have taken strides toward more playing time.
- Meyer said he thinks Cincinnati is worthy of being a "Power Five" team. “Absolutely.” But why? Meyer said “it’s the marketplace, you’re talking about TV sets, there’s a nice tradition and recent tradition too … The coaching tree that’s developed in the last 25 years is remarkable.” Added Meyer: “I was surprised they weren’t invited to a Power Five … we certainly respect them as if they are.”
- Meyer said the Buckeyes haven’t been able to truly evaluate its pass defense after a mixed bag of opponents for the first three games of the season (Navy didn't throw, Virginia Tech was uneven and Kent State was overmatched). “We played pretty good … not great (against the Hokies). This is the test, this is the one we’re all kind of shooting for and it’ll be a challenge for us.”
- Meyer on Bearcats quarterback and Notre Dame transfer Gunner Kiel: “I see a very strong guy, he looks big … very courageous player who throws into the oncoming pass rush. I see one of the top quarterbacks in the country.”
