Urban Meyer reveals if Notre Dame can hang with Ohio State in Week 1
Urban Meyer is readying for Ohio State to begin their season against Notre Dame Week 1, anticipating a fantastic game on Saturday.
Joining Dan Dakich on Don’t @ Me via Outkick, the former Buckeyes coach revealed if he thinks Notre Dame can hang with Ohio State when the lights are brightest.
“I think they can,” responded Meyer. “I watched a lot of their tape. I think this Marcus Freeman — he played at Ohio State, I know him a little bit. Great person. Everybody respects him. He’s 36-years old. He was the head coach at Notre Dame, and he lost at the bowl game and here he goes into Ohio Stadium. That’s tough too, first two games.
“I think Notre Dame is very talented. I think (Notre Dame offensive coordinator) [Tommy] Rees does a really good job on offense, I’ve been studying their offense and he does a really good job. I think it’s going to be a great game.”
Evidently, Urban Meyer doesn’t believe it’ll be a walk in the park for the Buckeyes when the Fighting Irish come to town. Nevertheless, the hype is real for the showdown, and both sides will be wanting a victory to begin their season with a bang.
Urban Meyer gives dual view for Ohio State, Notre Dame season-opener
Continuing, during the first installment of On3’s “Urban’s Take with Tim May,” Meyer said the top-five matchup will bring plenty of pressure. That’s why both teams have to pour their entire efforts into it, especially from the Ohio State perspective. The Buckeyes’ next games are against Arkansas State and Toledo before Big Ten play begins against Wisconsin.
“As a fan, as a Buckeye and as a fan of the Irish, I think it’s fantastic. As a coach, I think it’s tough,” Meyer said. “You have to win that game. We opened up with an Oklahoma, a Virginia Tech on the road. When I was at Utah, we played A&M on the road. It changes your whole mentality because after Notre Dame, Ohio State’s got some easier games. Just being quite honest. Everyone knows that. You’ve got to shoot everything you’ve got at this game. The preparation is something else I’d like to talk about next week. It’s so different when you open with a game like this. You have to have scrimmages.
“Remember the term ‘game ready,’ and Ryan is going through that right now. He’s trying to make sure first, the scheme is game ready. Once it is, put it away. Keep it warm, but put it away. The most important thing is the health and safety of that player. Once he’s game ready, he is not in a position where he’ll hit the ground another time before they play the game.”
The matchup will get the prime time treatment. Kickoff between Ohio State and Notre Dame is set for Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.