As the head football coach at Florida from 2005 to 2010, Urban Meyer was instrumental in elevating the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to its status as a powerhouse in college football during the BCS era. He knows the landscape of college football better than most, having led teams to national titles and witnessed the evolution of the game firsthand.
Urban Meyer’s Bold Claim
Now, as a FOX Sports analyst and former head coach at Ohio State, Meyer has made a striking declaration: the SEC’s reign at the top of college football is “over.” This statement comes on the heels of Notre Dame defeating SEC champion Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff national quarterfinal. This unexpected outcome has prompted Meyer to reassess the SEC’s dominance in the sport.
Disappointing Postseason Performance
Meyer’s assertion is backed by the SEC’s disappointing postseason performance this season. The conference has posted an 8-6 record, a stark contrast to its previous years of dominance. The downfall began with Ohio State handing Tennessee a 42-17 loss in their first-round College Football Playoff game on December 21. Following that, teams from the Big Ten, such as Illinois (who defeated No. 15 South Carolina 21-17 in the Citrus Bowl), Michigan (who beat No. 11 Alabama 19-13 in the ReliaQuest Bowl), and USC (who triumphed over Texas A&M 35-31 in the Las Vegas Bowl), continued to pile on the SEC’s woes.
Visual Evidence of Decline
“The reality is, let’s go back to the visual eye test to what happened between Georgia and Notre Dame,” Meyer said during a recent episode of The Triple Option podcast. “The question is, ‘Is the SEC run over?’ It is. And you can simply watch it in the game Thursday.” His comments reflect a growing sentiment that the SEC, once considered invincible, is now facing serious challenges from other conferences.
Texas: The Lone Survivor
Amidst this turmoil, fifth-seeded Texas remains the SEC’s only hope in the College Football Playoff, but even they are facing an uphill battle. They are set to take on eighth-seeded Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl national semifinal, where they are a 5.5-point underdog. The game will kick off at 7:30 PM ET from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and it will be a crucial test for the Longhorns as they represent the SEC in this pivotal matchup.
The SEC’s Championship Legacy
The SEC has long been synonymous with success in college football, accounting for 13 of the last 18 national championships since Meyer’s Gators won it in 2006. This streak included seven consecutive BCS national titles before Florida State broke it in 2013. Following the inception of the College Football Playoff in 2014, the SEC continued its dominance, winning six of the next eight championships. Only Clemson’s victories in 2016 and 2018 interrupted the league’s stronghold, until Michigan claimed the title last season.
Big Ten’s Rise
Meyer, who has been a part of both the SEC and Big Ten, reflected on the changing dynamics of college football. “I was part of the SEC bandwagon as well. I coached in that conference, and top to bottom, it wasn’t even close when I got to the Big Ten in 2012,” he shared. He noted that even his wife remarked on the difference in speed and talent between the two conferences. “In 2012, the Big Ten was not a good conference, relative to the SEC. Not even close.”
Recruitment and Conference Changes
However, Meyer believes the landscape is shifting. “There’s been some additions – obviously Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC – but also people have really committed in the Big Ten,” he explained. The upper echelon of Big Ten schools has ramped up their recruiting efforts, leading to significant improvements in their performance. Meyer highlighted how Michigan has emerged as one of the most dominant programs in recent years, while Ohio State boasts what he considers the best roster in college football.
The Future of College Football
As we look ahead, the future of college football is anything but certain. With the SEC facing challenges from the Big Ten and other conferences, questions linger about the balance of power in the sport. “There’s a good argument now for the Big Ten,” Meyer concluded, underscoring the shifting tides in college football. The landscape is evolving, and it will be fascinating to see how these developments unfold in the coming seasons.
