Urban Meyer evaluates Michigan, expects not-so-warm reception with FOX Big Noon Kickoff
You will not be finding “Ann Arbor” in any of Urban Meyer’s RedFin searches as the former Ohio State head coach is generally persona non grata in the area. But Meyer will be on campus at Michigan for Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff ahead of the matchup between the Wolverines and Maryland at noon.
Speaking on “Urban’s Take with Tim May,” the duo joked about the coach getting hives going to Ann Arbor, but Meyer was laudatory of the team Michigan has put on the field this year. And even though the fans might not like him, Meyer recognizes they’re right up there with any other in terms of zeal.
“Well, they’re a passionate fanbase,” Meyer said, before working in a quip, “We’re going to have good security. I’ll tell you, they’ve got a heck of team this year but you just don’t know. They look fast, they look well coached with the two new coordinators. But how do you prepare to go to Ann Arbor? It’s like Columbus, Ohio, it’s like Tuscaloosa. It’s a great, passionate fanbase that cares deeply. You know, there’s probably not a lot of like for a guy who used to coach Ohio State, but I think everyone knows I have incredible respect for the Wolverines. Always have. I was great friends, well not great friends — but I was friends with Bo Schembechler. He was a mentor of mine. Actually went to go spend some time with him when I first went to Bowling Green. I grew up in the 10 Year War. I always tell people there’s rivalries and then there’s The Game. There’s no comparison.”
As for the game on Saturday — between Maryland and Michigan, both 3-0 — Meyer thinks the Wolverines have the upper hand playing at home with a more talented roster, overall.
But Meyer, like many, are holding off on getting too bullish about the Wolverines, given the tissue paper-soft non-conference schedule Michigan played. The Sagarin strength of schedule ranking for the Wolverines is 196th in the country, meaning FCS teams have played more difficult schedules that Michigan has to date. The only Power 5 team with a lower Sagarin SOS is Minnesota at 216th.
With Maryland bringing legit talent on offense and a proven offensive scheme from head coach Mike Locksley, Michigan will really have to prove those beatdowns on much lesser competition were as indicative of their abilities as their opponents lack thereof.
“When you schedule teams like Colorado State, Hawai’i and Connecticut — you know Connecticut has a little bit of history but Colorado State used to be a Top 30 team. And these schedules are done 10 years in advance. Hawai’i, I’ve coached against Hawai’i many times. That’s usually a fistfight. And Hawai’i is really down, they’ve had some coaching transition. But I watched the videotape and I was shocked at how much they were struggling, same with Colorado State. So, that’s not the Wolverines’ issue. They came out and played, really penalty-free, turnovers — not many turnovers. Very clean, and they look fast. But once again, you just don’t know,” Meyer said. “Maryland is pretty good. They have three legitimate drafts at wide receiver. Their quarterback kind of bails the pocket a little fast, but he’s athletic. They’re playing very well.”