Oct. 07--It has been a perplexing season for Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, who was presented with a question Tuesday that bewildered him: Does winning create good chemistry ... or does good chemistry help you win?
"That is deep, man," he replied. "You're catching me off guard."
Meyer already has his hands full trying to figure out why the Buckeyes' offense is struggling in the red zone (six touchdowns in 16 trips) and has been so turnover-prone, losing six fumbles and getting intercepted seven times.
The Buckeyes are 5-0, but that's likely a product of playing zero teams ranked higher than 49th (Virginia Tech) in the Sagarin ratings.
Can this offense turn it around? Or does it reflect a lack of motivation after winning the national title?
"It's impossible to live up to expectations," Meyer said.
With Cardale Jones frequently misfiring near the goal line, Meyer acknowledged that he will consider using J.T. Barrett in the red zone, saying: "We've had that conversation."
Quarterback is not the issue at Michigan State, where Connor Cook (10 touchdown passes, one interception) leads the Big Ten in quarterback efficiency. That said, Cook wasn't all that sharp Saturday against Purdue, part of why the Boilermakers rallied from a 21-0 deficit to lose by a just field goal.
"We played in a pouring rain and 20 mph wind for much of the game," coach Mark Dantonio said. "We do what we have to do to win, that's the bottom line."
Indeed, Michigan State also is 5-0 despite ranking just sixth in the conference in both points per game (31.4) and yards per play (5.8). Injuries on the offensive line no doubt have contributed to the woes. Right tackle Kodi Kieler could return from a knee injury suffered Sept. 12 against Oregon.
"To me, change makes you stronger in the long term," Dantonio said.
The short term still looks non-threatening for both Ohio State and Michigan State, who play Maryland and Rutgers, respectively on Saturday. The Spartans get a major test Oct. 17 at Michigan.
Husker heartbreak: ESPN uncovered a telling stat about Nebraska: The Cornhuskers rank 32nd nationally with an average gain of 6.37 yards on third down. But when it's third-and-3 or less, they convert 38.1 percent of the time, better than only three teams in America. Given their last-minute blowups against BYU and Illinois, the Huskers might rank as America's least clutch team.
How to rebound?
Coach Mike Riley said that "the most important thing for us is to give the players concrete evidence of how they can improve. They need a lot of good, positive reinforcement."
The Huskers are host to Wisconsin on Saturday, and the two head coaches have a history: Riley gave Paul Chryst his first coaching job, in 1991 with the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football. They worked together again for the Chargers from 1999-2001.
"No one will put more scrutiny on the details than Mike," Chryst said. "I've been in tough situations with him, and, honestly, that is when he's at his best."
The Badgers might be without injured pass-catchers Alex Erickson (concussion) and Austin Traylor (arm).
Learning his Croft: Coach Jerry Kill said there's no quarterback controversy at Minnesota, even though he removed Mitch Leidner late in the Gophers' 27-0 loss to Northwestern. Kill stripped the redshirt from Demry Croft, saying: "I felt like it was a time to see what he could do."
Kill undoubtedly realizes Minnesota (3-2), averaging a league-worst 4.6 yards per play, might not get to six victories with how the offense currently is constructed. Playing behind a beat-up offensive line, Leidner's quarterback rating is second worst in the Big Ten.
Croft is a 6-foot-5 native of Rockford who chose Minnesota over Northern Illinois. Kill called him "a good athlete who can run well and has a quick release. He has an outstanding future and still is learning reads and progressions."
Extra points: Indiana has allowed just three quarterback sacks, and Penn State coach James Franklin believes that's a byproduct of the Hoosiers' lines getting bigger and stronger. Indiana coach Kevin Wilson also attributed it to "receivers running crisper routes and the quarterbacks making good decisions." Wilson said quarterback Nate Sudfeld and tailback Jordan Howard, both nursing ankle injuries, did participate in Tuesday's practice, at least on a limited basis. ... Look for tailback Drake Johnson to have an expanded role Saturday for Michigan. De'Veon Smith still is recovering from an ankle injury, and USC transfer Ty Isaac had a rough time at Maryland, fumbling twice (one lost) and committing a roughing-the-punter penalty. ... The attorney for Rutgers receiver Leonte Carroo said before with simple assault charges were dismissed late Tuesday afternoon, he expects the team to reinstate his client. Interim coach Norries Wilson had no comment ... Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said he was not shocked to hear that a Texas player went on Twitter at halftime, re-tweeting a suggestion from a Texas A fan that he transfer: "Look around at young people; they are addicted to their phones. I actually pulled some examples for my Monday team meeting. My policy: It's about education. Sometimes you have to learn from other guys who maybe had a momentary lapse in judgment."
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
