As Urban Meyer addressed his first game against a Big Ten opponent during his weekly press conference, the conversation inevitably turned back to where his team stands during an unusual season.
In Meyer’s first season as head coach in Columbus, Ohio, he’s working to overcome penalties sanctioned against Ohio State for NCAA violations, which include ineligibility for postseason play or a conference championship this season.
Yet despite the NCAA punishments, Saturday’s Big Ten opener between No. 14 Ohio State (4-0) and the No. 20 MSU football team (3-1) is a matchup of the conference’s top-ranked teams, and Meyer said expectations for his program haven’t changed.
“I know we’re Ohio State and there’s all kinds of expectations here, and still I’m not giving up,” Meyer said.
“I think by the end of the year, this might be (a) hell of a football team. I mean, might be sooner than that.”
Meyer said there’s been a different feel around his team this week, as the Buckeyes prepare for their first Big Ten opponent, which he described as an extra “pepper in the step.”
Although the Spartans and Buckeyes are in different Big Ten divisions, he said Saturday’s game still will play a big role in determining who comes out on top in the conference.
“This is a rivalry game. This is a game that’s going to have an instrumental impact on the Big Ten conference,” Meyer said.
“Plus, (we’re) going on the road. I think going on the road is sometimes overrated. … Going on the road against a team that you’re far superior (to), that’s not a big deal. Going on the road against this outfit, this is a significant challenge for us.”
Meyer said one of the team’s biggest challenges will be going against the Spartans’ cornerback duo of junior Darqueze Dennard and senior Johnny Adams, whom Meyer described as “a very good player.”
Ohio State also will have to find a way to stop running back Le’Veon Bell and tight end Dion Sims, two juniors that Meyer said could be difference makers. Sims was selected Wednesday as John Mackey Tight End of the Week for his showing against Eastern Michigan, which included six receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown.
“They’ve got a really good tight end; I guess he used to play basketball,” Meyer said of Sims. “I was watching him. Big guy, athletic, can make plays. I was hoping I didn’t see what I saw. And it’s not because of lack of athleticism at receiver.”
But with the calendar about to turn to October, the pressure is about to increase, and for the Buckeyes, Meyer said the road to accomplishing their goals will begin in Spartan Stadium on Saturday.
“The first time we talked about that was yesterday in our team state of the union meeting,” he said. “You have an opportunity to go win your side of the Big Ten. So that is a goal. And that was not a goal when we were playing UAB and Miami and Central Florida and Cal. It’s a goal now. That’s why we addressed it.”
“So are we playing for something? You’re darned right we are. It’s really important here. Look around. Really important.”
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