DALLAS – With one day to go before the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and USC coach Clay Helton held their final pregame press conference of the season on Thursday.
Meyer and Helton met with the media simultaneously, fielding questions for about 40 minutes during a joint head coaches' press conference at the Omni Hotel in Dallas.
Here's what you need to know from the coaches' Q&A:
- Helton began his opening statement by praising the Cotton Bowl and its event staff: "You hear so many great stories about the Cotton Bowl Classic, and all of them are true ... We have been absolutely blown away this week."
- Meyer also began his opening statement by praising the Cotton Bowl for its hospitality.
- Meyer said he hopes to have an opportunity to coach in the Rose Bowl, which he says is the one major bowl game he has not coached in.
- Meyer says a third loss wouldn't "tarnish" this season, but that the Buckeyes go into each year with the goal of winning a conference championship and a bowl game.
- Helton on Nick Bosa and Ohio State's defensive line depth: "To be able to have a guy coming off your bench, basically, and leading your team in sacks is beyond impressive."
- Helton says Ohio State is "without question" the most complete team USC has faced.
- Meyer on J.T. Barrett: "J.T.'s done it all for us. Now it's an opportunity for finish his career in his home state and be a Cotton Bowl champion."
- Helton on Sam Darnold and J.T. Barrett: "Quarterbacks are measured by how many games they win ... they're both winners."
- Meyer says Ohio State has had conversations about who will be hired as the 10th assistant coach but nothing has been finalized yet. Reports have indicated that the Buckeyes are likely to hire Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch for that role.
- Meyer on Dwayne Haskins, Joe Burrow and Tate Martell: "They all have somewhat different skill sets, which is a challenge for us, but they're also fun to coach."
- While bowl preparation is an opportunity for young players to develop, Meyer says the focus has been on finishing the season with a win.
- Helton on USC's defense: "I've never seen a bunch that is so happy for each other when they make a play, and they all feed off each other."
- Helton does not expect USC linebacker Porter Gustin to play on Friday. Cornerback Jack Jones remains questionable with an ankle injury.
- Meyer described Sam Darnold as an "excellent player" who he has a lot of respect for.
- Meyer on Ohio State's early signing period haul: "We did very well. I'm very pleased with who we got." Meyer said the Buckeyes probably have only two spots left in their 2018 recruiting class.
- Helton, whose Trojans added only eight players in the early signing period, said he did not focus on numbers but on recruiting quality players, believing his team will still be able to bring in more quality players in February. "You better get the best players for your group."
- Meyer said the Buckeyes have to put pressure on Darnold in order to stop USC's passing defense. "Sam, if you give him time, with the receivers he has, you're not going to stop him. That's not going to happen."
- Meyer and Helton both said they do not expect any players to voluntarily sit out Friday's game.
- Meyer on Ohio State's 2013 recruiting class, which includes J.T. Barrett and Billy Price, among others: "I talked in my opening press conference about making the great state of Ohio proud, and they have. They haven't been perfect, but they've been pretty close."
- Meyer says he plans to get in touch with Eli Apple after his recent issues with New York Giants. "Eli was fantastic for us. We never had any issues."
- Meyer said he gave defensive line coach Larry Johnson his full support to take to Twitter to confirm that he was not retiring.
- Meyer said he texted Ezekiel Elliott earlier this week and anticipates that the former Ohio State and current Dallas Cowboys running back will be in attendance at Friday's game.
- Meyer on recruiting California: "It has to be a unique situation for us to travel that far."
- Helton said the Trojans typically recruit about 20-22 players from the West Coast, believing that defending USC's geographic footprint is most important, but that the Trojans will seek out exceptional talent from other states as well.
- Meyer said he still doesn't know exactly which draft-eligible underclassmen will leave for the NFL or return to Ohio State next season.
- Meyer said he was not prepared to discuss each of Ohio State's potential 2018 starting quarterbacks Thursday, as the Buckeyes will focus on that in the spring but are focused on the Cotton Bowl right now.
- Is an eight-team playoff something that should be considered? Meyer said he doesn't believe the calendar works for an expanded playoff. "I don't see it happening." Helton said he doesn't worry about things he can't control.
Check back with Eleven Warriors for further Cotton Bowl coverage from Dallas.
