Urban Meyer Warns Ohio State on CFP 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. As programs across the country scramble to soften their schedules, Ohio State is sticking to tradition. But former Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer thinks that might be a mistake, especially with a brutal conference slate that includes a tricky road trip to Iowa.
The 'Indiana Model' Rewards Gaming the System
College football scheduling used to be about proving yourself against the best. Now, it seems to be about padding your record. Last season, Indiana played three easy non-conference games against Kennesaw State, Old Dominion, and Indiana State. Next season, the Hoosiers face North Texas, Howard Bison, and Western Kentucky. Curt Cignetti's team went undefeated in the regular season by avoiding any real challenges in September.
It is a strategy that prioritizes a safe record over competitive merit, and other programs are taking notes. Virginia Tech and Georgia have already shifted to easier non-conference slates. Oregon and USC are following the same template. Instead of earning their spot on the field, programs are learning how to game the playoff system.
Meyer Questions the Buckeyes' Tough Scheduling
Ohio State, however, is doing things the old-fashioned way. They are scheduled to play Texas and Alabama in future non-conference matchups. On a recent episode of The Triple Option podcast, host Rob Stone suggested a flexible calendar to create more marquee matchups. Meyer pushed back, questioning why his former team would even schedule a powerhouse like Alabama.