Receivers remain under coaches’ microscope
Even as quarterback J.T. Barrett takes the heat after Ohio State’s 31-16 loss to Oklahoma, the receiving corps is on the grill, too.
There were several plays when no receiver appeared to get open as Barrett went 19 of 35 for 183 yards. Those struggles strongly resembled what went wrong with the passing game against better defenses last year, which was why coach Urban Meyer said Monday there is constant evaluation going on with regard to playing time for receivers.
“It’s a six-man rotation. There’s not a differentiation from 1 through 6, and I think they’re going to be all fine players,” Meyer said. “They’re continuing to grow.”
The top six this season has been Parris Campbell, Johnnie Dixon, K.J. Hill, Austin Mack, Terry McLaurin and Binjimen Victor.
“There’s not that Michael Thomas (former OSU receiver now in the NFL) right now where you say he’s your go-to all the time,” Meyer said. “Ben Victor, we tried a couple with him. I think Terry got behind them one time. So when you ask the question, when (do coaches evaluate), it’s when do we not? It’s nonstop.”
Mack recovering
Mack suffered from concussion symptoms when his helmet struck the turf after he made a leaping catch at the sideline in the third quarter on Saturday night. Meyer said Mack’s status could become clearer Tuesday, “But I put him as probable for the game.”
Mayfield apologizes
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield apologized on Monday for symbolically planting a Sooners flag in the block O at midfield in Ohio Stadium after the game, a move that angered some OSU supporters.
“It was an emotional game, and so after the game, I did not mean for it to be disrespectful toward any Ohio State people at all, especially not the team or the players,” Mayfield said on Monday. “They’re a great team, a great program …
“Obviously, if they did that here (in Norman), I’d be pissed, too. Not surprised looking back on it. I understand why they’re very upset about it, but I didn’t mean it to be disrespectful in any way.”
A year after a 45-24 home loss to Ohio State, Mayfield completed 27 of 35 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday.
More carries needed
The OSU offense seemed most effective against the Sooners when running backs J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber were carrying the ball. But they combined for just 16 carries (Dobbins had 13), and averaged a combined 6.3 yards per carry.
“That’s not enough” for the running backs, Meyer said.
He pointed out that Weber is still working back from a hamstring strain as the freshman Dobbins has handled most of the load. Still, Meyer said, “You want to be in the … 25 to 30 number (of carries) … with them.”