Meyer Warns Ohio State on CFP Schedule Risk Ahead of Iowa Game
In the new 12-team College Football Playoff, three losses likely end your season. It hurts even more if one of those losses comes outside your conference. Just ask Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. Programs are already scrambling to soften their schedules, making Ohio State's commitment to playing Texas and Alabama a rare breed of toughness.
Meyer Questions the Logic
Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer recently appeared on The Triple Option podcast. He questioned why the Buckeyes would even schedule a powerhouse like Alabama in the current playoff landscape.
My scheduling philosophy was always big dog, medium dog, little dog. That's what we always did. I think of those days, and God bless Texas. I'd be surprised if that continues. I know Alabama and Ohio State. Why would Ohio State play that game? Why would it play other than that it's great for fans?
Former Alabama running back Mark Ingram loved the idea of the marquee matchup. Meyer fired back, asking if pleasing the fans is enough justification to risk a playoff berth.
The Buckeyes Face a Brutal Big Ten Slate
Ohio State hosted Texas in Week 1 last year. This season, they travel to Austin to finish the series. While fans get a great early matchup, Ryan Day's team also has to navigate a grueling conference schedule. They face Indiana, USC, Oregon, and Michigan. Even the road trips to Iowa and Nebraska will test the Buckeyes.
For Iowa fans, that trip to Kinnick Stadium could be a massive opportunity. A win over the Buckeyes could vault the Hawkeyes into the playoff conversation, while a loss for Ohio State could be devastating to their postseason hopes.
Gaming the System: The Indiana Model
While Ohio State embraces high-level matchups, other programs are taking the easy way out. Indiana famously played three cupcake non-conference games last season against Kennesaw State, Old Dominion, and Indiana State. The Hoosiers went undefeated in the regular season without breaking a sweat in September. Next year, they'll play North Texas, Howard Bison, and Western Kentucky.
It's a strategy that prioritizes avoiding risk over competing at the highest level. Virginia Tech and Georgia have already shifted to easier non-conference slates. The goal is simply to pad the win column, not to test your team against the best.
Ohio State Stands Firm, For Now
Despite the trend, the Buckeyes have defended their tough scheduling. Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork told Eleven Warriors in February that they are looking forward to the Alabama series.
We're driving value in this whole new era of college sports. Until somebody shows us a different model where those games will cost you either way, then we will look at it.
Reports indicate Alabama is not canceling its future series against Ohio State, even though the Tide recently backed out of a series with Oklahoma State.
Sarkisian Joins the Chorus
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian found himself defending his team's playoff resume last season despite three losses. He argued that his team's tough schedule and top-10 wins should have mattered more. After beating Texas A&M, Sarkisian vented about the absurdity of holding the early Ohio State loss against his team.
Because if we're a 10-2 team right now that played four top-10 ranked opponents with three top-10 wins, we're not even having a discussion right now. So, my point is: Why the hell am I going to play that game next year? For what? What good does it do?
Sarkisian recently told Greg McElroy that programs are learning from Indiana. They're seeing the value of an easy win over the strength of a tough schedule. Oregon and USC have also joined the cupcake club.
It's admirable that Ohio State and Alabama continue to value real competition over safe playoff bids. However, as the playoff format punishes losses more than it rewards strength of schedule, fans have to wonder how long these traditional powerhouses will hold the line.