Standing at 2-0 and with a trip to No. 14 Oklahoma on tap, Urban Meyer took to 97.1 The Fan's airwaves to discuss all things Buckeye football with Paul Keels and Jim Lachey.
Meyer on Oklahoma's 3-4 defense and its challenges:
- "A great offensive line wants double teams. 3-4 prevents double teams ... but it's not that easy."
- "The guards can't double, which creates closed gaps."
- "The negative is you don't get a good pass rush," noted Houston beat them with "a few pass plays."
On the play of the defense:
- "They're playing great. The goal line stand [against Tulsa] was outstanding."
- It has been sublime at creating momentum for the offense like Darron Lee used to do.
- Meyer didn't expect Tulsa to continue to throw late in the half last Saturday. The second interception "changed the game."
Joe in Youngstown: How do veteran players help younger players go on the road for the first time? What's the routine.
- "That's huge in our program." Every great player Meyer has a rigid pregame routine. "Unfortunately, we're going to figure out our routine on the road." They will "really lean on Billy Price and Pat Elflein, our quarterback and our veteran receivers, of which we have some." Some programs bypass this, but not Meyer's.
- The most important thing on a roadtrip is rest. Meyer used to believe in hyping the players, but not anymore. His "Best Fridays in Football" include his players eating and relaxing.
- He doesn't do stadium walkthroughs either. "Only thing you need to see about stadiums is where the play clocks are."
- Lachey said Earle Bruce got on him one time for drinking a glass of milk on a Friday before a game. "As he should," Meyer laughed.
On Curtis Samuel:
- "He's our primary playmaker. Everyone else has roles."
- "He's the first guy we've had in a while that can run inside, run outside, and catch the ball."
On special teams play:
- "We missed a tackle on a kickoff that hurt us bad. We don't do that here. We don't give up big hits."
- "Punt return game helped us [against Tulsa]. Dontre did a good job putting his foot in the ground."
- Kickoff is "doing fine" but isn't meeting expectations. Eric Glover-Williams has helped.
On linebackers:
- Raekwon McMillan and Chris Worley have been "playing very good."
- Jerome Baker did a "good job" in his first career start against Tulsa.
On Oklahoma linebackers and secondary:
- Houston "did a good job against their secondary."
- Linebackers are "stout."
- Sooner defense is built to stop the run.
On Oklahoma offense:
- Baker Mayfield is "as good as anyone I've seen," can beat you with his arm or feet.
- Oklahoma throws a lot of quick screens.
- Run-pass options are a "big part" of what they do.
- "We can go through every guy if you want, but they're all very good."
Larry from Youngstown: How important is the mental state of players? How often do you work on that? Ended his call with our first, "Love ya, brother!"
- "We've taken our mental toughness and leadership training to a level we're not sure has ever been done before."
- What makes Mickey Marotti special as a strength coach isn't that he can teach bench press, it's that he motivates his players.
- "We're fast enough, we're big enough. It's can we make sure the human spirit is motivated."
- "What we say in [the offseason] is what matters." Meyer says halftime sermons are overrated, and it's more about adjustment.
Chris in Columbus: Have you talked to Tom Herman? Have you seen Oklahoma's backup QB's comments and do you use it for board material?
- Yes, Meyer talked with Tom Herman. It was more about personnel and thoughts, not so much about Houston's 109-yard field goal return.
- "Oh yes," Meyer uses bulletin board material. "If he said that, I'm sure our coaches will use it."
Denny in Mt. Vernon, who is three for three in call-ins this year: How aggressive do you want J.T. Barrett to be in calling audibles at the line?
- Depends on the risk and reward.
- Ohio State plays to wear down an opponent and then take shots.
- Every play has "pressure points" that they're taught. If the defense is set to exploit a pressure point, he will audible. "He's one of the best I've ever coached at it."
Danny in Dublin: Would you rather have a green team or an experienced team going into a game like this?
- "I don't have a choice. I don't like thinking about that."
- "I like coaching good players, and we have good players."
On Gareon Conley:
- Picked up right where he left off, and he was "exceptional" last year.
- "I love him as a person. He shows up every day and goes to work... he's a man's man."
- Him and secondary Kerry Coombs have a "very special" relationship.
- Handles his academics too.
