When you look up and down Ohio State's roster, you don't quite see the number of in-state players that used to fill up the Buckeye lineup.
Four of Ohio State's nine captains this season are from out of state and two thirds of the Buckeyes' 2017 recruiting class are from outside of Ohio as well.
For those who were on last year's squad however, Urban Meyer said he doesn't have to educate his team about what the rivalry against Michigan means to the Ohio State football program and fan base.
"They were here last year. And that was a great football team we played. And we anticipate – they're watching film with their defense," Meyer said. "I think when you get older, and when you're 17, 18, 19 years old, it's about what's important now. And the videotape verifies what is about to happen here.
"So I think the rivalry is really important. However, film study and preparation is more important."
Meyer noted that playing with Ohio born players changes his approach at times. He noted his first three contests against Michigan as Ohio State's head coach were easy to get the Buckeyes up for, especially because of the presence of Ohio natives in key positions.
"Every team is different. We had five starters on our offensive line who were from the state of Ohio in 2012, '13 and I believe '14. It's not the case right now. I just watch that very closely," Meyer said. "I'm not saying that you didn't have to worry about those things, but I do. I want to make sure when you do recruit a young man out of Texas – Baron Browning, Jeff Okudah are going to be very important guys – Kendall Sheffield in this game that they understand the magnitude. But that's not so much my job as it is the leaders of our team."
Those leaders, most of which are seniors, have never lost to Michigan in their time at Ohio State. In fact, Ohio State's current group of seniors have an opportunity to become just the seventh Buckeye class to go through their college careers without a loss to the Wolverines.
Those, the players who have played in this game before, are the players Meyer said he doesn't worry about with a trip to Ann Arbor, Mich. standing between Ohio State and a possible return trip to the College Football Playoff.
"To say everyone understands (the rivalry) right now, I don't think so," Meyer said. "Say Wyatt Davis or another out-of-state young player, Ellijah Gardiner – probably not yet but they will. I would say the ones that are playing have a pretty good indication."
