Upon an obliteration of Illinois last weekend, redshirt freshman linebacker Darron Lee didn't mince words when it comes to Ohio State's Titanic-size rematch with Michigan State Saturday in East Lansing.
“We know what this week’s about,” Lee said. “And it’s on, honestly.”
Of course, the Spartans beat the Buckeyes in Big Ten Championship Game last season, snapped their 24-game winning streak and dashed their hopes of playing in the national championship.
“I feel like they stole something from us,” Lee said. “That’s how I felt just watching it. I wanted a piece of them last year, honestly.”
Welcome to Michigan State week.
"The most prepared team will win this game," head coach Urban Meyer said Monday.
NOTES:
- Meyer, stating the obvious, about Michigan State: "Obviously a big week."
- Meyer playfully lamented extra media responsibilities this week with such a large game looming: "I hope the most prepared team wins, not the most interviews, not the most conversation."
- Of course, the Spartans won the Big Ten title last season before winning the Rose Bowl: "They stood in the way and we failed ... They're the king of the hill right now because they wont the championship. You have to dethrone them."
- Meyer on need to earn national respect back and how a win against the Spartans could do so: "I think so, I think that will be a conversation we have with our players. I think they know that already. To get the respect Ohio State deserves and has had in the past, you have to go win this game."
- While Michigan State and Ohio State have emerged as the Big Ten's top two teams, Meyer won't call the Spartans a rival: "We have one rival ... To say this is a rivalry game, it would diminish the rivalry that's been here for 100 years ... I'd love to have our players have a very clear understanding of rivalry games, the pageantry of it.'
- Meyer said Ohio State will need to be careful in how prepares in practices this week: "This is a rugged game, we have to be smart about how we go about our business ... the two experiences I've had against Michigan State, this is sledgehammers ... this is going to be a big-time football game."
- Meyer on Ohio State's 34-24 loss to the Spartans last December: "We did not play very good pass defense ... that was two very good teams playing each other last year. Very, very physical game."
- Meyer said cornerbacks Eli Apple, Doran Grant, linebackers Joshua Perry and Darron Lee and defensive linemen Steve Miller and Joey Bosa all graded as defensive champions Saturday.
- Meyer said starting center Jacoby Boren and redshirt freshman H-back Jalin Marshall were his offensive players of the game.
- Meyer said senior linebacker Curtis Grant played his best game since coming to Ohio State.
