With Maryland dismantled and a trip to Michigan State on tap, Urban Meyer joined Paul Keels and Jim Lachey on 97.1 The Fan to talk Buckeye football.
Meyer on what's up today: "Just preparing for Michigan State."
On fast starts: "Credit to our defense, but also offensively." They've scored on opening drives in the last two weeks.
Curtis Samuel's football IQ continues to "amaze" Meyer. Samuel does so much offensively, he can't work on the fundamentals of WRs and RBs. Samuel mostly works with Zach Smith and the receivers, however.
Demario McCall's name "comes up quite often because people love him." He still has a "ways to go" but he's "going to be good here," which is the stance Meyer has taken the last few weeks.
COFFEE WITH THE COACH QUESTION FROM DALE IN PAINESVILLE: What is the gameday routine for a noon game on the road?
- "First of all, he's from Painesville, which is God's country up there."
- "The routine changes a bit. You gotta get them up and get them going."
- "You certainly change your routine. You don't have all the walk throughs."
- "This time of year, I like it better that way. Let's go."
Offensive line is coming together. Every single member of the line drew praise from Meyer for their play in recent weeks. Elflein in particular: "That news, when Pat said he's coming back—we have a chance. If he doesn't come back, we're not very good."
Red zone, first down, third down... it all falls on the offensive line. That's why they fly first class and eat first class.
On red zone defense: "It's almost deflating when you kick a field goal on offense. It's a win when you make them kick a field goal on defense."
Kerry Coombs "found Tyler Durbin somehow." Meyer loves the former soccer player. He's all in. "And I don't normally like kickers."
On receivers: "Two weeks in a row, not good, dominant." Blocking especially, which is critical. "Last two weeks we gave the game ball to Zone-6. Not sure what Zone-6 means, but it's cool."
Curtis Samuel is "as good a blocker as we've ever had."
Keels noted Noah Brown has been making plays. "Not enough," Meyer said.
On Michigan State:
- "Michigan State is Michigan State. Excellent players and excellent coached."
- L.J. Scott, an Ohioan, is a "guy they know well."
- No difference in MSU defense since Pat Narduzzi.
- How much film has he watched from last year? "Zero. Never could watch it."
LUCAS IN MARYSVILLE: [Rambling question he read off a notecard.]
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday are about preparation.
- Meyer later visits with key players to get the pulse of the team.
- Also meets with strength coach Mickey Marotti to make sure players are "taking care of themselves."
- Sleep is an important part of that. Meyer personally does the bed checks. The team will be in bed by 9:30 p.m. for a noon game.
CRAIG IN CANTON: To what do you attribute the quickness of the defense?
- "Let's wait until after Saturday to ask that," Meyer joked.
- Credited his players for their hard work primarily, coaching recruiting secondarily. "If you take away those good players, suddenly they're not good coaches."
On putting J.T. Barrett under center for a few snaps: Meyer stole it from Wisconsin. The jet sweep "happens so much faster that way than the other way. And you can't see the ball." Realized it could be quite the weapon with Curtis Samuel.
Walk-on linebacker Joe Burger is "fine."
CHRIS IN NEW ALBANY: Would you pass on a five-star recruit if they didn't have the leadership or displayed character red flags? Have you ever thought about Noah Brown at tight end?
- "At my age than now, more than ever. We have walked away from some good players that wanted to come."
- Meyer cited "social media" and "past experiences" as big reasons he walks away.
- "That doesn't mean you'll recruit all choir boys. Not everybody is perfect. Everybody makes mistakes."
- Will not move Brown to tight end, either. He's too versatile as a receiver and "good at what he does."
Recruiting is a round-the-clock endeavor. Meyer is already focusing on the 2018 class because the "'17 class is pretty much done."
Meyer loves NFL players coming back. If they handled their business, like Joshua Perry and Joey Bosa, they get lockers at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and can work out at team facilities. "A guy like Joshua Perry, he probably doesn't have to pay for a meal in Columbus. That's how much he's done for this program."
