It is only Tuesday, but Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has not been shy so far this week about his feelings toward the Buckeyes' opponent Saturday: Indiana.
During his weekly press conference Monday, Meyer noted this is the best Indiana team he has faced in his time at Ohio State. And on Tuesday, Meyer again praised the Hoosiers.
Speaking on the Big Ten coaches weekly teleconference, Meyer said there is no worry this week about his team focusing with a huge game looming next week at Wisconsin.
"I think the best thing is when it's real and, for example, Indiana is real," Meyer said. "The players are engaged and really good players come in and watch video tape and we respect every opponent, but sometimes when the film is not very good that's where you have to create scenarios or maybe not even show them much film."
"But when the team is really good like Indiana, they just beat Michigan State, there's no issue," he continued. "It's a problem when the team is not very good, but that's not the case this week at all."
The Hoosiers are 3-1 and coming off a 24-21 overtime victory against Michigan State.
Ohio State hosts Indiana on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Additional Meyer notes:
- Meyer on freshman running back Demario McCall possibly seeing more playing time: "He's still a work in progress. He's not big and strong enough to carry the load yet, but we're very pleased with where he's at."
- On J.T. Barrett's improved decision making, Meyer said, "He's getting 95 percent of the reps whereas a year ago he had to split a lot of reps. ... You have to get those game reps and he's getting them all."
- More Meyer on Barrett approaching Braxton Miller's total touchdowns school record: "I had no idea he was that close to the passing touchdown mark. When someone said he was only three or four away from the total, he'd be the first to tell you he's been very fortunate. ... When you start thinking about the great history of this university and he can be No. 1, that's incredible."
- On Gareon Conley, Meyer said, "He's much more confident. Gareon is a big-time leader for us."
- Meyer was asked if Robert Landers was an example of his feelings toward not having an early signing period in college football: "Sure. There's many more, too. ... That's a perfect example."
- On Curtis Samuel also potentially being a Heisman candidate: "I think it's a little harder for those positions to get it, but he's certainly having that kind of year that he should be in the conversation."
- Meyer also compared this Barrett/Samuel combination to the Tim Tebow/Percy Harvin one he had in 2008.
Michigan scored a 14-7 win over Wisconsin in last weekend's top Big Ten game. This weekend's slate, however, is less than impressive. Ohio State hosting Indiana might just be the best game of the weekend and the Buckeyes are four-touchdown favorites in that one.
In addition to Meyer, the league's other 13 coaches met Tuesday for their weekly teleconference appearance. Some highlights of what each coach had to say are below.
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern):
- Fitzgerald's only two questions were about wide receiver Austin Carr, who had three touchdown catches in Saturday's win over Iowa. "He's a guy that could be President of the United States if he wanted to," Fitzgerald said.
Jim Harbaugh (Michigan):
- On Michigan's production from its wide receivers, Harbaugh said: "High production. They provide a lot of benefit to our entire football team and our offense specifically. ... How much benefit? A lot."
- Harbaugh's former assistant DJ Durkin is off to a 4-0 start at Maryland. Harbaugh: "It's been fantastic. I've been following and I've caught probably three of the games. It's no surprise, he's doing a heck of a job."
- More Harbaugh on Durkin: "Watching with a lot of pride with what he's doing and we're very proud of what he's doing."
- Chris Ash apparently interviewed with Harbaugh when he was at Stanford. Harbaugh: "He really stood out. He was very, very well-prepared and had his entire coaching philosophy laid out. ... I remember being very, very impressed and he was right there for the job, I think like second, but obviously he has proved to be a phenomenal coach."
Paul Chryst (Wisconsin):
- On Michigan's wide receiver corps, Chryst said, "They're really good football players and I have a lot of respect for them."
- Chryst did not specify when he would begin his team's preparation for Ohio State. "We're really looking forward to enjoying this off week."
Mike Riley (Nebraska):
- Riley dropped a #take about Saturday's victory against Illinois: "We were really glad to win our last game."
- Riley on injured wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp: "I don't think Jordan will make it for the next game, but possibly for the game after that." Riley added it was a back injury.
Mark Dantonio (Michigan State):
- Dantonio asked about Michigan State's inability to complete the deep ball. "Your chart doesn't show pressure and your chart doesn't show dropped balls," he said.
- Dantonio: "Our expectations are that we have to score points to win football games."
Kirk Ferentz (Iowa):
- On last weekend's loss to Northwestern, Ferentz said, "As you might have imagined, we've turned the page on it and we're working for the Minnesota game on Saturday."
Tracy Claeys (Minnesota):
- Claeys on Saturday's matchup with Iowa: "It doesn't take a lot to get the kids ready on either team. ... We look forward to lining up on Saturday and playing for Floyd."
- Claeys on Iowa All-American cornerback Desmond King: "If he's covering our guys close and shutting them down then we won't throw there either."
Chris Ash (Rutgers):
- Ash: "Disappointed, obviously, in the outcome of our game against Ohio State. Outstanding team, well-coached and very talented, but we're disappointed."
- Ash on Rutgers' rough start: "Any program that plays three top-five schools in the first six weeks, that's a challenging schedule. I don't know that there's too many coaches that would sign up for that, but it is what it is."
Lovie Smith (Illinois):
- On the new facilities renovations Illinois announced Monday, Smith said, "It'll do quite a bit. Nowadays, guys would like to see a visual of where you're going and our facilities are good right now, but this will give us a chance to have facilities that compare to anybody's around."
DJ Durkin (Maryland):
- Durkin on Maryland's turnover issues last season: "It was something we probably addressed on Day 1, to be honest with you."
- On Maryland handling praise for its 4-0 start: "We just really focus every day on what we've got to do to get better. Our guys have done a good job of embracing the routine and everything else. When you focus on that, you don't let the other stuff creep in."
Darrell Hazell (Purdue):
- Hazell on Illinois: "They're playing much better than their record."
- Hazell on Lovie Smith: "I have a lot of respect for Coach and he just represents the profession so well."
James Franklin (Penn State):
- Franklin on kicker Joey Julius' post on Facebook where he opened up about his eating disorder: "We're here to support Joey in every way possible and we're very proud of him."
Kevin Wilson (Indiana):
- Wilson: "We're playing a tremendous team this week."
- Wilson on Ohio State: "They're always going to be one of the very best in our game."
- More Wilson on Ohio State's offense: "We'll get tested this week with speed and I think they have one of the premier players in the country at quarterback."
- On Ohio State's defense, Wilson said, "Their structure is sound. They play a lot of guys and they play hard. There's a lot of talent and a great competitive spirit on that team. ... It's a collective great group and they make a lot of plays out there."
- More Wilson on Ohio State's defense: "If their offense wouldn't have played, I think they'd still be undefeated."
