Ohio State hosts Michigan on Saturday at noon.
You already knew that, of course.
Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh both know it, too.
It's college football's greatest rivalry, and Meyer reiterated Tuesday on the Big Ten coaches weekly teleconference why it means so much to him.
"I'm very biased and I'm very respectful of all rivalries, but I grew up in the 70s and this was a time when Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes had two programs that were at the top of the food chain," Meyer said. "What I remember and what I make perfectly clear to our players is the amount of respect that I learned in this rivalry from those two great coaches was real."
"The fight is there at the highest level, but there's also respect."
Meyer makes it known this week is not just a normal week for the Buckeyes. The scout team dresses differently. The same song plays over and over all week throughout Ohio State's practice facility. The word 'Michigan' is never mentioned.
"There's much more to it," Meyer said. "This is a year-round preparation game and it's something that we take very seriously."
Additional Meyer notes:
- Meyer was asked how he thinks the rivalry has changed over the years. "I don't think it's changed at all," he said. "This rivalry is bigger than 2016. We’re trying to enhance it."
- Meyer noted senior H-back Dontre Wilson, who missed last week's game at Michigan State, has been cleared to play.
- Wide receiver Corey Smith, who also missed the game against the Spartans after having a pin in his wrist removed, could play against the Wolverines. "Remains to be seen," Meyer said, "but I think he's going to be OK."
- Meyer on Michigan's defense: "This is the best D-line we've faced."
- On Ohio State's offensive line, Meyer said, "I was pretty pleased with how they played against a team that loaded up to stop the run. ... I don't think we played great, but we got the win."
- Meyer on the strength of the Big Ten: "People are winning. I'm very proud of our conference."
- Meyer on Michigan's offensive skill players at wide receiver/tight end: "They have three NFL guys that we know very well."
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Meyer on Ohio State's use of social media: "There's all kinds of stuff going out. ... All we care about is recruiting, the brand. You don't have to wait for people to write stories about you, you can write your own stories."
All eyes this weekend will be on the matchup featuring Ohio State and Michigan. It's a game that has massive implications in both the Big Ten and College Football Playoff. But Buckeyes fans will also keep one eye on the Penn State–Michigan showdown should Ohio State knock off the Wolverines. A win by the Spartans would send the Buckeyes to Indianapolis in that scenario.
In addition to Meyer, the Big Ten's 13 other coaches gathered Tuesday for their weekly appearance on the league's teleconference. Some highlights of what each had to say can be seen below.
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern):
- Fitzgerald on the importance of trying to become bowl eligible: "Getting to six, I think No. 1 it's to send your seniors out as a winner. It obvious gives us an opportunity to go and compete in the postseason and those extra practices are critical in the development of your program."
- Fitzgerald was asked about keeping Ohio State game close: "I don't know if we had a whole lot of success; I think we hung on to our rear ends. I think it's an incredibly talented football team that's really well-coached."
- What jumps out about Ohio State? "Speed and aggression."
Jim Harbaugh (Michigan):
- Harbaugh was asked how much he does in offseason to prepare for Ohio State: "A lot. Quite a bit."
- On wide receiver Eddie McDoom: "He's healthy, ready to go."
- On wide receiver Amara Darboh's improvement: "His catch radius has expanded. His route running ability, especially against press coverage, has improved. His overall knowledge of the game has expanded. He has a really high work ethic."
- Harbaugh on potential of players guaranteeing victories against Ohio State: "Having done it, I don't recommend it."
- On how Michigan's defense will prepare for Ohio State: "We watch as much tape as we can. There's a lot of tape to watch, you've just got to find the hours in the day to watch it."
Paul Chryst (Wisconsin):
- Chryst on the lack of dominant Big Ten running back this season: "There are some really good running backs in this conference. You're talking about Melvin Gordon and Ezekiel Elliott, those were really special backs back-to-back, but there are some really good ones in this conference."
- Chryst on Wisconsin defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox: "He's done a heck of a job with our coaches and, most importantly, our players."
Mike Riley (Nebraska):
- Riley on Nebraska's quarterback situation: "Tommy was able to practice. I would not say it was full speed for him but it was pretty encouraging. ... It was pretty encouraging that way with both kids."
- On potential Iowa–Nebraska rivalry: "Yeah, it does [feel like a rivalry]. I think it's perfect. ... It seems really, really natural to me having only been here a short time."
Mark Dantonio (Michigan State):
- Dantonio on Penn State: "I think you see a football team that's improved greatly over the course of the year."
- Dantonio on what a win would do going forward: "Yeah, I think you always want to end things on a high note regardless of where you're at. ... We definitely want to win this football game, but it will be a challenge to do it."
Kirk Ferentz (Iowa):
- Ferentz on the potential of Iowa–Nebraska rivalry: "The last couple years have been really good football games that have gone back and forth. It's still new, Nebraska is fairly new to our conference, but I think hopefully it's starting to get that feel."
- Ferentz on recording a shutout in a Big Ten game: "It was the first one we've had since 2009 or 2010 so, yeah, it is hard to do."
Tracy Claeys (Minnesota):
- Claeys: "We played against a good Northwestern team this weekend and were able to win our last game at home. That's always important for our seniors."
- Claeys on Wisconsin: "They're one of the best in the country."
- On what a win over Wisconsin would mean: "It's important to people in the state as it is to the people in Wisconsin. It's been a while since we've had [the axe]."
- Claeys on the Big Ten: "There's a strong argument we have the best conference in college this year."
Chris Ash (Rutgers):
- Ash on playing spoiler: "It's always a motivator. Maryland is trying to play for bowl eligibility and we're just trying to win a game to send us into the offseason with some positive momentum."
- Ash on the potential of adding grad transfers and/or junior college transfers next season: "We'll look at everything that's out there that can upgrade our team and go from there."
DJ Durkin (Maryland):
- Durkin on bowl eligibility potential: "I feel like it'd be a really good step in the right direction for us in our first year as we move forward."
- Durkin on Ohio State's Curtis Samuel: "He's a really good player effective in the backfield as well as outside catching the ball."
Gerad Parker (Purdue):
- Parker: "We're really looking forward to this Bucket week. Indiana has a lot to play for and so do we."
James Franklin (Penn State):
- Franklin on Michigan State: "I think the last two weeks they've played great football. They've been playing like the Michigan State that we've all become familiar with the last few years."
Kevin Wilson (Indiana):
- Wilson: "This is a big game in our state. We're excited for our rivalry game."
