A cold front brought in light rain showers to push Ohio State's football practice inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center Wednesday, which doubled as the team's midweek session.
No. 9 Michigan State and Mark Dantonio head to Columbus Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff against Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes. The latter met with reporters upon the conclusion of practice to give updates.
Notes:
- Meyer on Braxton Miller: "Immense feelings we all have for him. Because we all know how average we were, especially on offense, our first year. If you start your first year coaching at Ohio State .500, if you don't get momentum, things don't happen ... Just means a lot to us."
- Parris Campbell is good to go Saturday, and there aren't any other injuries to report this week.
- More on the seniors, Meyer referred to when Lou Holtz told him sometimes you do your best coaching when you take over a program because you don't know the kids that well and there aren't deep relationships. This year is different, he said: "You just really learn to appreciate the relationships you make."
- Asked about Michigan State, Meyer mentioned its outstanding field position average and turnover margin: "It's stating the obvious, that that's the obvious." Ohio State is also near the top of the country in field position average.
- Meyer considers Mark Dantonio "one of the top five, six or seven coaches in the country ... It's obvious what he's done for that program."
- Meyer still hasn't addressed the College Football Playoff rankings with his team.
- Broached about the idea that conference championships mean more in the Playoff era, Meyer said "I don't know. We're just focused on having a good Thursday practice."
- On the momentous recruiting weekend on hand: "It's tough" and "borderline ridiculous" trying to balance between that and the game at hand.
- There isn't just one guy that's made the biggest gains or strides among the seniors playing their last game at Ohio Stadium: "You've got Braxton, you've got Adolphus, Joshua ... I try not to think about it. Just gotta go win this game."
- Ohio State is not nine units strong yet, but it's working hard to get there: "I feel in the room there's such an urgency to get that fixed, that's where the culture comes in. It's very workmanlike, businesslike."
- Meyer will know quickly Saturday if Ohio State's pass protection has been fixed or not.
