Michigan-Ohio State football clips playing on loop in Buckeyes' locker room
When fullback Zach Boren walks into Ohio State's football locker room today, he knows exactly what is going to be on the TV.
Tomorrow, too.
And the next day.
After all, new coach Urban Meyer has one thing playing on loop: The Buckeyes' football series against Michigan.
Michigan linebacker Kenny Demens closes in on Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller during the Wolverines' 40-34 win at Michigan Stadium last season.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
"That video's been playing for a long time in the locker room, and it just kind of reminds us every day of how significant that game is, and how many great games have been played in that rivalry, and how important it really is," Boren said Tuesday during a Big Ten Leaders Division conference call with reporters.
Meyer was hired late last year to replace Luke Fickell, who was promoted to interim head coach after Jim Tressel was forced out.
He has yet to coach a down at Ohio State, but understands his rivalry against Michigan well. Meyer is a Toledo, Ohio, native, and once was a graduate assistant with the Buckeyes.
He has called Ohio State his dream job. And now he has it.
Meyer was hired in November, shortly before the Michigan game, and saw the Buckeyes' seven-game winning streak against the Wolverines snapped in Ann Arbor. They don't expect the Wolverines to repeat in Columbus next season.
"We're going to be ready for that game -- we always are," said Boren, whose brother, Justin Boren, played for Michigan before leaving for Ohio State. "We're reminded of that game every single day throughout the year. ... We know it's a big game, just because of what happened last year. We'll be ready for it, we'll be competing with them.
"If you want to be successful at Ohio State, or That Team Up North, you have to embrace that rivalry, and that game has to be put on a pedestal, just because of how big it really is and all the tradition behind it."
Yes, Ohio State is calling Michigan "That Team Up North." And Michigan is calling Ohio State "Ohio."
Game on.
Meyer on critical article
Meyer also commented on the conference call regarding a Sporting News story that took a critical look at his tenure with Florida. That included preferential treatment for star players and featured an alleged ugly episode in which star receiver Percy Harvin physically attacked a position coach.
Meyer said he had several specific problems with the story, and said several times he didn't understand the "intent" of the story. He also noted several times there were no NCAA violations committed under his watch.
"We're extremely proud of what we did down there," Meyer said. "And throwing not good players, great players, under the bus like that, I don't get the intent. I'll fight for those guys. Those guys did a lot of great things for the University of Florida.
"It's just disappointing, and I'm not sure of the intent."
Meyer said he's received many calls of support since the story was published.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Hound313
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.
Is beating Ohio State more important than winning a National Title? Why not put more emphasis on National Titles. I understand that beating Ohio State is in essence, integral to winning National Titles b/c typically a team most go undefeated to participate in the National Title game unless you are from the SEC, but I think Michigan should focus more on the bigger picture than a stepping stone towards the ultimate goal, which again is a National title, hell, we haven't had one since 1997 and even that one was shared. Lets GO BLUE!!! Aint nothing wrong with the aim, but lets change the target.
Chris Lane
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 2:29 a.m.
I understand the whole TTUN or TSUN thing, but why call Ohio State just "Ohio"? That makes no sense to me at all. I did notice that calling Ohio State, "Ohio" did stop for a few weeks after Ohio U. (the REAL Ohio) beat Michigan in the NCAA tournament. Cant Hoke come up with something a little better? With the existence of Ohio University, calling Ohio State simply "Ohio" is simply dumb. Isn't it?
NOHOKENAROUND
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.
Sorry to bust your Buckeye you know whats, but when Urban was at Florida he said his dream job was Notre Dame not OSU, but he's is getting closer, he won't have to move so fare next time. Nice slap in the face to Florida!
NOHOKENAROUND
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
I forgot to mention that Urban's teams had the highest arrest rate in the SEC, he's a perfect fit for the OSU win by any means baby, but just win, and they don't care how!
j
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.
Anyone notice that Meyers didnt deny that those things happened when he was at UF? He just deflected the attention elsewhere.
Ioniadawg
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.
Urban Meyer will be the John Cooper replacement we have been looking for.
osubetterthanu
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
Even as a Buckeye I do think this is a bit much but I do think overall the rivalry is back where it needs to be...at the top in terms of greatest all time rivalries. Remember too that this year because of our ban in the post season that game even has more emphasis. If you guys win this year in Columbus that would be a tough pill to swallow. However, I don't think you guys realize what is coming in the next few years from Ohio State so I actually think we are going to win 3-4 Michigan games in a row. Just reading everything that Urban is doing will certainly translate on the field. Go ahead mock me now that I am just a buckeye slappy (who lives in Michigan) but in 3 years from now when we have won 3 in a row I will post again that I told you so. Go Bucks!
Blue Marker
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 6:50 p.m.
IMO anything that puts more focus on "The Game" is a good thing. Year in, year out there is no other game I want Michigan to win more. Who cares what they do in Ohio. I'm sure they don't care what type of motivational things we do here. As for Boren and his whole family...there is a spot on the banks of the river Styx for them. Left Michigan because of a lack of "family values" and goes to a guy who gets fired for cheating...good call! I won't say I wasn't impressed with the hire of Meyer at OSU. However, I'm not scared either. I think both programs have what they want and may the best program win! Go Blue!
michboy40
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 12:25 a.m.
The intent, mr. Meyer, is to show how your desire to cater to the 5-star crowd ruined Florida's program. You made your non studs feel like second rate citizens, while your star players ran amuck, over and again, while you stood by condoning it in the name of winning. It showed a real lack of character on your part.
burton163
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 12:36 a.m.
Which means he will fit right in with the "culture" at ohio...
Terry Star21
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 9:47 p.m.
The rivalry is great, but I think meyer is putting too much pressure on himself to win....we prepare for the game, play and win or lose and we move on.....we don't count the days, live every day as if it's 'the' only thing that matters and have been doing this for 133 years,successfully....meyer's downfall was pressure, then illness, then gone in the past - I don't see that he's doing anything to change that.... MgoBlueForTiM...meyer turning up heat in his pressure cooker..
umgoblue47
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 : 2:57 a.m.
yeah right. . . mind. . . we are not the ones that are on a football teams site that we don't support! but here you are every day on a MICHIGAN site. . .there is not a day you are not on this site worrying about how coach HOKE is killing oscar meyer on recruiting. coach HOKE has got you so scared your addicted to this site!! we MICHIGAN fans sleep great at night, we will leave the squirming and night sweats to you!!! GO BLUE!!!!!!
rightmind250
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 12:17 p.m.
Yeah right Terry, There is not one day you, Steve, Mick or Scott are not on hear whinning about Meyer. He's got you guys so scared and upset you can't sleep at night. I enjoy watching you squirm though
burton163
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 12:35 a.m.
Actually, the rumor is that Meyer's "illness" was a cover up story after it became apparent that he was having an affair with a student. Just a rumor, but a rumor with legs...
Scott Laux
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 9:32 p.m.
Man I'm sick of this rivalry. Wish Ohio would join the SEC. There a player can punch a coach and if he's a star they'll cover it up. Ohio belongs in the SEC or ACC.
scott
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
It's too bad we'd have to go back to 1999 to find a legit win of ohio over Michigan to put in our locker room....
Steve McQueen
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 9:18 a.m.
bomb sniffing dogs when our kids got off the bus at their hole stadium...that was the low point for tressel..he was dirty to his core
Terry Star21
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
I hear that scott....I always thought tressel cheated, spies in our camp, secret video taping, etc. - they always knew what play was coming up.
Mick
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
Whatever, big whoop! Get used to it ohio fans, Hoke will be whipping Urban Myth on a regular basis. BTW, our win last year was done without cheating, did you get that ohio fans? Without cheating and playing players who shoulda been ineligible, what a concept! Something Tressel boy violated repeatedly!
UofMbeBetter
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 8:56 a.m.
Wearent we on Probation for OverPracticing and Lying to the NCAA last year?
Terry Star21
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 9:52 p.m.
Tally10, what school are you from, seriously ? Mick is right on, and anyone that says not, or talks that talk is not a Wolverine......
Tally10
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
Sounds good Mick, but us UM fans need to get serious if we think Hoke will be whipping Meyer on a regular basis. If Meyer sticks around for more than a couple years, ohio will return to one of the top teams in the BT. We need to understand, we struggled to beat a down ohio last year at home, with a Frosh QB and an interim Head Coach.
Steve McQueen
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 7:34 p.m.
Boren is a joke. Ultimately he will not have any role in Urban's spread offense...just another babbling talker like his fat brother.
Chris Lane
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 2:36 a.m.
Michigan fan? Obviously! I remember when UM's fans were smart. I guess losing 9 out of 11 makes you fans say ANYTHING and EVERYTHING... even if it makes no sense and takes away the "smartness" of how Michigan's fans used to be. If you aren't just a hater.... well come on... admit it... you are a hater in every sense of the word. Keep hating. It suits you just like it does 50% of Wolverine fans. You Michigan fans are obviously scared... and I understand why... but why not talk your team up instead of talking crap about players and things you know NOTHING about? Haters Unite... Ridiculous!
Frankie
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.
Quit drinking the kool aid rightmind. Your opinions are transparently biased and no one is going to take you seriously. You think any guy playing linebacker in the BIG is just going to freely admit to hate seeing a specific fullback coming at them? You say the "Meyer spread" like no one else could manage to run such a complex offense. Numerous coaches use lead blockers combined with the spread option and it isn't hard to find a kid ,who was obviously too unathletic to play LB or TE, to just run through a hole. Urban Me First Meyer is a conniving scum bag and it is no wonder your whole fan base fell in love with him so fast
Nic schweigert
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
Couldn't agree more
rightmind250
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 2:26 a.m.
that's not always the case the h-back leading through the hole , but when it is there is no linebacker at Michigan or anywhere else that can take on 255 lb Zack Boren. He eats linebackers. Ask any lb in the b10 who they hate seeing coming at them. They will say zack boren.
Terry Star21
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 9:55 p.m.
Steve you're right, and Matt has the best assessment of boren I've see - zero threat, and yes Matt I respect his family, which also are no real threat to M.
Steve McQueen
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 8:20 p.m.
lol Matt..thanks for correcting wrongmind. Unless Meyer made Justin a captain and was able to fake his eligiblity to get an extra year for Justin out of the NCAA. That would not be beneath Meyer to do.
Matt Patercsak
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
rightmind 250, you mean Zach, not Justin. And quite frankly, despite his leadership skills, work ethic etc, Zach Boren poses zero threat in terms of speed off the ball. His presence will be a telegraph to where the play is going. I respect Zach Boren, he comes from a family of Michigan fans, and I love fullbacks, but he has seen the best of his playing time.
rightmind250
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 7:43 p.m.
Comment shows your ignorance of the Meyer spread. Justin will be used in the h-back position. By the way, Meyer was so impressed with Justin, he made him a team captain. It's alright to hate, just try to show a little intelligence.
heartbreakM
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
What's next? Is Urban going to take his players on daily field trips to see the grave of Woody? Is Brady Hoke going to put a lifesize statue of Bo (with a forearm tattoo "#goblue") in his locker room? Yes--we get it. It's an important game. But sheesh. come on guys. There are other games first.
heartbreakM
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 12:41 a.m.
@Hebner: There is a difference between John Cooper and RR's approach of "just another game" and stressing the importance of the game without going overboard. To all of our fans and Ohio State's, this is not just another game, of course. Countdown clock? I think that's cool. Doing a 5 minute run each practice for Ohio/Michigan (depending which team you are talking about)? Good prep and focus on them. But continuous video? That's just plain overkill.
Hebner
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 12:08 a.m.
Yes it is an important game...thee game! Let us not forget RR playing this rivalry down, stating that all the games are important. What an embarrassment to Michigan. This game is real, so real that both teams get better from the intense preparation. Go Blue!! Beat Ohio! Every snap is for this game...
Terry Star21
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 9:57 p.m.
Agree heartbreak - meyer is going to pressure himself into another medical leave, then early exit.
MRunner73
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 7:04 p.m.
What happended to a simple countdown clock? This goes too far, puts too much pressure on the players. I would not want to see the Michigan coaches doing the same thing. Me thinks Urban Meyer doth protest too much.
Terry Star21
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
What about pressure on meyer, watch for an early exit of his 'dream job'....