Ohio State's second bye week is over, and the homestretch of the season has officially arrived.
The Buckeyes are now set to play games in four consecutive weeks to conclude their regular season – potentially followed by a Big Ten Championship Game if they can take care of business in those games – and that stretch begins on Saturday at Ohio Stadium, when the Buckeyes will host Maryland.
With his team now in the midst of preparation for this week's game against the Terrapins, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day made his first media appearance of the week on Monday night, when he joined the Buckeye Roundtable show on the Ohio State IMG Sports Network.
A quick recap of what Day had to say:
- Day said he talked to the Buckeyes this week about making sure they get back on their routine after the bye week. "When you come off of a bye, you kind of lose a little bit of the routine that you usually get into at this time of the year. So just have to talk to the guys this week about getting back into that rhythm, of practice and just going through the whole routine of what it's like this time of the year."
- Ohio State practiced Monday, which was its first practice of the week after players had the weekend off. After the first bye week, the Buckeyes practiced on Sunday because their next game was on a Friday, but this week they're back on a normal schedule. Day said they had a good practice on Monday. "Guys were flying around."
- Day said he thought the Terrapins "did a good job on defense" against Michigan, holding the Wolverines to 331 yards. He thought the Maryland defense played one of its better games of the year, even though Michigan won 38-7.
- "On offense, they're still trying to find their way in the passing game, but they're still very explosive in the running game." Day also said the Buckeyes have to be prepared for the threat of Javon Leake in the return game.
- Day said he has been pleased with the way the Buckeyes' second- and third-team players have performed. "The depth has been strong, and we've been building it as the season's gone on."
- Day said it is important for the players who they expect to play big roles next year to get playing time this year, and they'll try to continue to do that when they get opportunities in November. They don't want to burn redshirts unnecessarily, but if they think players who will play next year can get quality playing time, it's worth it.
- On last year's overtime game against Maryland and whether that's being used as motivation this week: "I think that our defense remembers that McFarland ran for almost 300 yards on them, and the final score was 52-51. Certainly they know that they're very capable and have the ability and have the athletes to make you look bad if you don't do a good job. So they certainly have our attention."
- Day said the Buckeyes are focusing on Maryland's film this year, not from last year's game against Ohio State, since the Terrapins have a new coaching staff and new schemes.
- "I still think there's areas that we need to improve in, and do a better job of staying focused throughout the week. This is going to be a big week for that, coming off another bye week ... Making sure we start fast in this one, and doing a good job of not changing up our preparation, and making sure that we're on top of that. I think the challenge is to get even better." Day said the coaches challenge the Buckeyes to continue getting better in all aspects of their life, not only on the field but also off the field and in the classroom.
- On Maryland linebacker Keandre Jones, who transferred from Ohio State: "He's playing hard, too. Proud of the way he's playing. Great young man who is doing a good job there. You can see him flying around, he's playing with great effort."
