Buckeyes continued fromC1 Contact this reporterat 937244-7400oremail David. Jablonski@coxinc.com.
football coach,” Meyer said, “and I stand by my coach. I just don’t knowenough, and it’s not fair to my players to make any more comments than that because we have a huge game this week.”
That game remains the focus for the No. 9 Buckeyes ( 10-2). They play No. 5 Wisconsin (12-0) at 8 p.m. Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The big question all week will be about Barrett. Will he be healthy enough to play? Or will D wayne Haskins, who led Ohio State’s comeback victory Saturday at Michigan, get the start?
Meyer upgraded Barrett’s status to probable and said he’s been doing a nice job withthe rehab. Barrettdidn’t practice Sunday, Meyer said, and his practice status for the rest of the week has not been determined.
Meyer expects Barrett to split reps with Haskins if and when he does return to practice.
If the Buckeyes do have to turnto the redshirt freshman Haskins instead of the fififthyear senior Barrett, they are confifident he can get the job done. Haskins’ performance in the second half at Michigan Stadium boosted that feeling.
Haskins completed 6 of 7 passes for 94 yards and led Ohio State to a touchdown, fifield goal and touchdown in four drives. The other drive ended in amissed fifield goal.
“I get to see him every day in practice, so I’ve always had confifidence whenever he got his opportunity he was going to shine,” wide receiver Terry M cL a ur in said. “He’s a very confifident and poised quarterback, and he has confifidence in his ability. My job as a leader was to make plays andmake blocks whenever possible to help his outing.”
Notes: Defensive end Sam Hubbard was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. He recorded 2½ sacks and forced a fumble in the 31-20 victory at Michigan. Hubbard, a redshirt junior, participated in Ohio State’s Senior Tackle tradition last week, which could indicate he plans to enter the NFL Draft after this season. “He’s been a three-year starter,” Meyer said. “He’s a graduate. And that’shis decision. Wetalked about it, and he wanted to go through Senior Tackle. And that’s his call.” ...
Meyer will appear at a press conference at Lucas Oil Stadium at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst will follow at 4 p.m.