Urban Meyer
is a planner. He accounts for every minute of every day. Months ahead of time.
So it was appropriate that after being asked about the effects of NCAA sanctions at Ohio State, which is banned from postseason play this season, Meyer pointed all the way to 2013.
“After our last game against our rival (Michigan, on Nov. 24), do I simply shake their hands, give them a hug and say: ‘See you in January?'” he said. “That’s one of the concerns I shared with my athletic director.
“The issue is not the 2012 season. We’re going to line up and try to win every game we play.”
Meyer did say, though, that he is “struggling” with the concept of his seniors not being able to play in a bowl game.
Penn State’s postseason ban will be four years, meaning that only Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois and Indiana are eligible to represent the Leaders Division at the league title game in Indianapolis.
When NU coach
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Pat Fitzgerald
said that the Big Ten could turn to a committee of coaches and Commissioner
Jim Delany
to select an opponent for the Legends Division winner, it was assumed he was joking. Nope. Fitzgerald brought it up Thursday morning at a conference meeting.
“I like the idea of having two teams for our division,” he said. “Hey, any way to get to Indianapolis.”
Status quo:
Delany said the league unanimously decided against adding a ninth conference game. Following the breakdown of thePac-12 collaboration, he said he expects the Big Ten’s top teams to seek “enhanced” non-conference schedules that would satisfy a playoff selection committee.
Top dog:
In a poll of Big Ten beat writers, Michigan was deemed the favorite to win the Legends, with 16 votes. Michigan State got seven and Nebraska received one.
Wolverines coach
Brady Hoke
said the designation means “not much, to be honest with you. I think we were picked fifth in our division a year ago.”
Michigan went 11-2 last season and beat Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl. But Michigan State won the Legends Division before falling to Wisconsin in the league title game.
Asked about his team’s underdog role to Michigan, Spartans coach
Mark Dantonio
replied: “In our locker room, they won’t be favored.”
Ring’s the thing:
Bret Bielema
has a status update. He is now Wisconsin’s married head coach after tying the knot with
Jen Hielsberg
in March.
“19 weeks and 5 days into this,” he said. “I go back to seven years ago to when I got the job, and people said: ‘Wow, you’re single.’ Everybody gave me advice. Hopefully (being married) will make me a smarter, wiser and more mature coach.”
Short and sweet:
A reporter asked Penn State coach
Bill O’Brien
if he could update the room on the “Silas Redd situation.” O’Brien’s reply: “No.” Redd reportedly met with USC coaches Thursday regarding a potential transfer.
Illinois’
Tim Beckman
defended his decision to send eight coaches to State College on Wednesday before being asked about it: “I’m going to attack it because I’m a pro-active guy.”
Extra points:
Purdue’s
Danny Hope
views his team’s quarterback depth almost like an embarrassment of riches: “We have three experienced quarterbacks, three very talented quarterbacks, three very driven quarterbacks.”
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Caleb TerBush
tops the depth chart after throwing for 1,905 yards last season. He replaced
Rob Henry,
an excellent rusher who has returned from tearing his right ACL. Henry is likely third-string behind veteran
Robert Marve.
… Nebraska’s
Bo Pelini
said that with a year of familiarity, it should be “a little bit easier” to beat Big Ten teams: “It’s one thing seeing it on film; it’s another thing living it and seeing it first-hand.” … Entering his 14th season,
Kirk Ferentz
is now the dean of Big Ten coaches: “I just feel very, very fortunate to be at the University of Iowa. I draw a parallel with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They stick with their people (as well).” …
Jerry Kill,
who thrived at Northern Illinois before taking over at Minnesota last season, said his health is “fantastic,” adding: “Thanks for asking.” Kill collapsed on the sideline at the end of a game last September after suffering a seizure. … Indiana’s
Kevin Wilson
has not settled on
Tre Roberson
at quarterback: “When you are a 1-11 football team, there is no player set. Got to earn it every day.” … Northwestern officials expect to hear from the NCAA any day regarding the waiver request of USC transfer
Kyle Prater.
Tribune reporters Colleen Kane and Fred Mitchell contributed.