Standing at 3-0 and with an open week on tap, Urban Meyer took to 97.1 The Fan's airwaves to discuss all things Buckeye football with Paul Keels and Jim Lachey.
Urban rolled into the studio 12 minutes late, but he's excited for the bye week as it's a chance to watch his son, Nate, play against Cleveland St. Benedictine. He worked his team "pretty good" the last two days and won't practice in pads today.
On J.T. Barrett:
- "Playing very well." One of his "greatest skills" is he's "an excellent game manager," who can get six yards on a play with his feet if his receivers aren't open.
- Cites Pat Elflein and Billy Price, along with Barrett, who Ohio State would be "dead in the water" without.
- Barrett is the "best we've had" at running the no-huddle, said Braxton Miller was "just okay"
Frank in Hamilton: How did Ohio State handle the weather delay before the Oklahoma game?
- "It's science. It's biology. You eat exactly four hours before a game... it's really how far the game has gone. Claimed he helped the trainers make turkey sandwiches for players to keep them fed and hydrated.
- Cited it as another example of the worth of strength coach Mickey Marotti.
- Meyer said it was "rather confined" in the locker room but players laid down and listened to their headphones.
On Noah Brown:
- "Couldn't have happened to a better person... I didn't even realize he had four touchdowns."
- "Exceptional hands, but he still doesn't have his top speed. He's still getting it back [from injury]."
- Keels asked if Meyer picked on No. 4 (freshman Sooner DB Parrish Cobb). Meyer said it's receivers coach Zach Smith's job to figure out mismatches.
On Curtis Samuel's opening touchdown on 4th-and-1:
- Ed Warinner made the call to go for it.
- Oklahoma's defense played it well, but Mike Weber, Marcus Baugh, and Terry McLaurin also provided key blocks on the end.
On differences between game weeks and open weeks:
- He lets guys "back off" who are dealing with injuries, like Noah Brown and Dontre Wilson.
- "I try to work them really hard Tuesday and Wednesday. And we're going to run them hard [Thursday] because they're off Friday and Saturday."
On players talking about the love they have for teammates:
- Meyer loves hearing that, as he has people watching what players say because he "finds it interesting."
- It's an example of the culture. Meyer didn't have a system to install it before. Now he does.
- It goes into recruiting, too, in identifying players that want to belong to a culture like Ohio State's.
- Cited Larry Johnson Sr. as one of the top-performers on the staff in this regard.
- Meyer doesn't believe in a lot of guest speakers because they "speak and then leave." They don't belong to the culture.
Dan in Columbus: What was up with problems in getting the play in during the first half? Can J.T. Barrett get better with his reads?
- "We had two miscalls from the sideline and we weren't able to figure it out." Cited noise as a factor in one.
- "We had some issues," but noted, "they're all fixable."
- Agreed Barrett could get better in read-option plays. As an example, Barrett kept on a play where Mike Weber would've had "at least 35 yards" if he gave him the ball.
Denny in Mt. Vernon: What changes would you like to see in NCAA policy? (Ended call with, "Sir, please stay for awhile. Thanks, and go Bucks!")
- "I think Ohio State treats its players very well. It goes above and beyond."
- One thing Meyer would change, however, if a coach breaks a rule he shouldn't be allowed to play again (much like what happens when a player misleads the NCAA).
- Meyer also used to the chance to rail against the idea of an early signing period in recruiting. He wishes it would go back to players committing after their senior seasons.
Dave in Dublin: Who would be your MVP three games into the season?
- "It's very early. I don't want to go there, but our secondary is playing exceptional."
- Cited the defensive line and J.T. Barrett also.
- "What's important to remember is we're not as good as people say we are. ... There was a lot of offense left on that field in Oklahoma."
On high snaps:
- "That's one of the risks of being in shotgun."
- Meyer doesn't feel it's been a problem, as long as snaps don't get "above the head."
- "Should we get 10-15 snaps under center? Why would we do that?" They're a shotgun-based run team, and it would create problems by switching it up. "We made that decision a long time ago."
