After beating Northwestern and with a primetime tilt against Nebraska on tap, Urban Meyer took to 97.1 The Fan's airwaves to discuss all things Buckeye football with Paul Keels and Jim Lachey.
Meyer thinks the offensive line was "much improved" against Northwestern. The opening 90-yard drive also impressed Meyer, who noted that the brutal stretch of back-to-back trips to Madison, Wisconsin and State College, Pennsylvania benefit the team now.
On grading champions: "I want to have a standard way of grading people." There are different ways of grading per position group. It's harder to earn champion grade on the offensive line than receivers. Effort, technique, and "Did you finish your job?" all go into the grade. Meyer likes being able to award his ringers in front of the team on Saturday.
"Wow," Meyer joked. "Let's just try to beat Nebraska." Athletic director Gene Smith handles all regalia decisions. Meyer doesn't care either way, but it helps recruiting. While talking about tradition, Meyer said his favorite tradition is the ringing of the victory bell. "That means you got one."
COFFEE with THE COACH QUESTION from PENNY in NEW HAVEN: How do you feel about the retro outfits? Do you ever think about going retro with coaches and wearing suits and ties on the sidelines?
Meyer salutes the band and student section after every game. "I couldn't imagine a game without them."
Meyer called the game-winning drive against Northwestern "magical." Noah Brown's 3rd and 10 catch and the two blocks he laid down on a single play later in the drive drew praise. Brown is "our most accountable receiver," who creates mismatches due to how big and strong he is.
On Malik Hooker's 14 tackles: "He's one of the best safeties in America right now."
Quarterback Dwayne Haskins and cornerback Eric Glover-Williams played Nebraska QB Tommy Armstrong on scout team. On Williams: "You have to have speed. He has that."
Meyer said Parris Campbell "might go" against Nebraska, and wide receiver K.J. Hill "could be involved in kick return."
On Nebraska:
- Top-10 team with top-10 talent.
- Return game is "very good," Top 20 in both kickoff and punt returns.
- Armstrong has "been there a number of years. ... You can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him."
- Both safeties play the run game well. Ohio State will have to account for that or "go over the top."
BRIAN in FOSTORIA: What does the scout team do? Do you recruit for them with walk-ons?
- Meyer used to have problems finding walk-ons at Notre Dame due to rigorous academic standards, and Ohio State's are going up.
- Former Ohio State tight end coach Tim Hinton and director of personnel Mark Pantoni coordinate all that.
- "Very strong correlation between good scout teams and good teams. We have a very good scout team right now."
- Guys like Joe Burger and Craig Fada started as walk-ons and earned scholarships.
CHRIS in NEW ALBANY: What are some things you work on to become a better coach and develop leadership?
- Meyer studies other leaders, not just in football, every offseason.
- Visited Goldman Sachs.
- Also praised Tim Kight, his "leadership consultant."
Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel is working on a story about players developing under Meyer. It will feature Malik Hooker, Mike Weber, and Michael Jordan. "Every human being is different and we treat them as such."
On defensive tackle Michael Hill:
- "He was a guy who we had high hopes for that disappointed us earlier in the year."
- Hill has been handling his studies and come on as of late.
- "He's got it going on right now," Meyer said.
GEORGE in PATASKALA: Why isn't anyone picking up pressure from the edge?
- "This offense is designed to send out as many people as possible."
- It would hamper the offense if they started keeping extra players to block.
- "We have to teach them up," Meyer said.
Kierre Hawkins, who lost his black stripe Wednesday night, "has a long way to go but he's a try-hard." Has been doing well on scout team.
DREW in GALENA: How do you rebound from losing a big game?
- "I'm probably not the poster child for that," Meyer joked.
- He's also friends with Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "It hurts for Cleveland but it's still good for baseball."
- "Losses stay with you for awhile. They stay with me for a really long while. But you have to move on."
On Nebraska coach Mike Riley:
- "First-class guy with a very impressive record."
- Riley is a Nike coach and has vacationed with Meyer at the company's annual coaching retreats.
- The move from Oregon State to Nebraska didn't perplex Meyer. "That's Nebraska. It's one of the top jobs in America."
