As the regular season nears an end, Ohio State finds itself in the thick of the national picture. If the Buckeyes can beat unranked Indiana Saturday, they’ll book a return to the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis — the place where a 24-game winning streak and potential national berth collapsed last year.
Ever since a stunning loss to Virginia Tech in September, Ohio State might be playing as well as any team in the nation.
“We are a lights out better football team than we were at the beginning of the season,” head coach Urban Meyer said.
But are the Buckeyes one of the top four teams in the country?
"Not right now,” Meyer said. “I don't want to make ignorant comments."
Notes:
- After weeks of quiet from Meyer on quarterback J.T. Barrett’s spectacular season, he offered the redshirt freshman the highest of praises: “He’s a Heisman candidate.”
- Meyer, who won two national titles at Florida, was asked about the Gators’ head coach situation. “We’re playing Indiana. Nice try, though.”
- Meyer on playing Minnesota in Minneapolis in November: “I think it was every bit that we thought it would be.”
- Meyer on the state of the Big Ten: "Difference isn't (teams) one through five, it's the whole thing, and think it's getting better ... top five teams in our conference can play anywhere."
- Meyer on freshman running back Curtis Samuel: “We’ve got to get him in the game, (but) Zeke’s got the hot hand right now.”
- Meyer said those on the playoff selection committee who have played in such conditions should take into account the weather when analyzing and evaluating Saturday.
- Meyer on redshirt freshman H-back Jalin Marshall, who had 107 yards and a touchdown, but lost two fumbles that kept the Gophers in the game. “We haven’t lost confidence in Jalin, we don’t do that here.”
- Meyer on Indiana star running back Tevin Coleman: “He’s the threat.”
- Meyer said Ohio State practices tackling on a daily basis: “I can’t imagine a team that works harder than we do.”
- Meyer continues to lament lack of defensive line depth: “That’s not where we need to be right now.
- Meyer on fumbles against Minnesota and Michigan State: “It’s a fundamental issue right now, not an effort issue.”
- Meyer on wide receivers coach Zach Smith: "He coached his best game against Michigan State." Said the receivers weren’t as good against Minnesota.
- Meyer said the offensive player of the game was Evan Spencer. The defensive player of the game was Vonn Bell and Joey Bosa.
- Meyer said Eli Apple’s playing his best football “since he’s been here.”
- Meyer said there’s a “good chance” that backup running back Bri’onte Dunn will be healthy enough to play this week.
- Meyer on Barrett’s running ability: “He’s a very good scrambler … if it’s not there, he puts his foot in the ground and we get six yards.”
