Urban Meyer Calls Out Georgia, Michigan For Their Weak Schedules
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium on September 30, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Two of this season's top college football title contenders open their schedule with lopsided non-conference matchups. Urban Meyer recommended oversight to prevent such practices,
During On3's Urban's Take with Tim May, the former Ohio State head coach looked ahead to a Week 4 matchup at Notre Dame. However, two of their main championship competitors have easier early slates.
Meyer called out Michigan and Georgia when encouraging the NCAA to take action.
"I just also think the NCAA should mandate scheduling," Meyer said (h/t Saturday Down South). "When I see the Wolverines and Georgia’s preseason schedule, I just think with this 12-team Playoff, if I’m the head coach at Ohio State, I could care less about my preseason schedule, the non-league schedule."
Meyer believes major programs should schedule one game against a "premier school" and another against "a middle school" if also playing a smaller program. Universities currently don't have much incentive to seek out tougher opponents, but he thinks college football should force the issue for "the good of the game."
“Your object is to get in the Playoff," Meyer continued. "I just worry — Why would Ohio State play Notre Dame anymore? Why not play a MAC conference schedule to keep everybody healthy and get to ripping and roaring into a season?"
Jim Harbaugh will serve a three-game suspension while Michigan opens the season against East Carolina, UNLV, and Bowling Green. Georgia, which was originally slated to play Oklahoma if not for the Sooners joining the SEC next year, begins its title defense by hosting UT Martin, Ball State, and UAB in September.
The problem isn't contained to the Wolverines and Bulldogs. South Carolina and Meyer's other former team, Florida, are the only SEC schools playing two out-of-conference Power Five programs this season.
