Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson continued to field questions about the Buckeyes' struggles on offense – and few questions about Saturday's upcoming game against Army – during their press conferences on Wednesday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Meyer was asked whether Ohio State will get back to emphasizing the power running game after the Buckeyes gave their running backs just 16 carries in Saturday's loss to Oklahoma.
"We're going to do whatever we have to do to win this game," Meyer said, adding that he knows the Buckeyes cannot be one-dimensional.
Here's what else you need to know from Meyer's press conference:
- Parris Campbell is considered to be Ohio State's No. 1 receiver right now, but there's no significant discrepancy from the No. 1 receiver to the No. 6, like there was with Michael Thomas in 2015. Meyer likes what he has seen from Terry McLaurin and Austin Mack and expects Binjimen Victor to eventually emerge as a top-line receiver, too.
- The 2014 season, and how Ohio State came back from losing its second game that season to Virginia Tech, still comes up when Meyer addresses the team. He says the Buckeyes don't spend much time looking back though.
- "You guys remember all these losses. How about when we won?" Meyer interjected after being asked about Ohio State's 2015 loss to Michigan State.
- Meyer isn't sure whether backup quarterback Joe Burrow will be ready to play this week, but he would characterize Burrow as probable.
- Dwayne Haskins is "pretty close" to being game ready.
- Demario McCall is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is "not quite 100 percent."
- Michael Hill remains suspended for this game. Meyer declined to answer a question about how long Hill's suspension will last.
- Austin Mack "passed every test" in the concussion protocol this week and is expected to play Saturday.
- Mike Weber will be available to play more than he did against Oklahoma, when he received only three carries.
Meyer also confirmed that Wilson is Ohio State's primary offensive play caller and said the play calling has not been up to par in the Buckeyes' first two games, with the exception of the second half against Indiana.
Wilson didn't shy away from pointing the finger of blame at himself on Wednesday.
"At the end of the day, I think I just got to do a better job of piecing it together ... So far, I think I've been a little all over," Wilson said.
A sampling of what else Wilson said during his meeting with the media:
- Wilson wouldn't call it a challenge to have adjust his offense to coaching at different schools: "You're always evolving to what your players can and can't do."
- Barrett and Billy Price are the "two best practice players consistently" on the team. Barrett "has always been a great practice player" in Wilson's time around him. Wilson says it is his responsibility to put him in positions to look good.
- "We just have to get our offensive rhythm back, and that starts with me."
- Backup tight ends Luke Farrell and Rashod Berry are "continuing to come along." Both had impressive weeks in practice last week, but played less than they did in the season opener because of the nature of the game. "Both of those guys are going to be fine."
- Wilson would like to see the Buckeyes rotate even more receivers than they currently are, as he believes they should have two or three running backs, six or seven wide receivers and two or three tight ends in every game. Needs to have that many players at each position who are ready to execute though in order to put them in the game.
- Freshman wide receivers Trevon Grimes, Jaylen Harris and Ellijah Gardiner have made plays in practice, but have been "a little hot, a little cold" need to be more consistent in order to start seeing playing time.
Check back with Eleven Warriors later tonight for further coverage from Wednesday's press conferences.
