If there’s a guy in college football that’s a traditionalist, former Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer is one of them. He has, for the longest time, advocated fewer games and no change in the national championship process. He was even okay with the old BCS system.
Now, however, Meyer believes it’s time to expand the playoff — which frankly, is an “and-one” format anyway rather than a true playoff. On a segment during FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff show, Meyer said expanding the playoff is a must because of how much today’s player has changed, and what’s important to them.
“I have had some really deep conversations with some of my colleagues, and the game is changing,” Meyer said. “And I think the playoff — I can’t believe I’m saying it — because I’m a traditionalist. I love the bowl games, I love the bowl experience. But you have two different sets of groups — the elite group, the high profile players, and the maybe not so high profile. I’m not saying bad players, but when I was at Notre Dame, we went 7-6 one time, we went to the Independence Bowl, the team didn’t want to go. And so what these coaches are dealing with, I kind of dealt with, but not like now. There’s two things important to elite players — NFL, College Football Playoff. If that doesn’t happen, they’re not going to play in bowl games. I’m not saying all of them, but I know coaches are dealing with that on a day-to-day basis.”
Meyer went on to be bewildered with what he was saying, but like many others in his new profession (media) and the old one (coaching), he believes it’s time for a change.
“I say expand the playoff — I can’t believe that came out of (my mouth) — expand the playoff,” said Meyer. “Because, I know you guys are going to say more teams are going to be involved, I say more players are going to be involved, or there going to get out. You’re going to see these phenomenal athletes not going to be able to play because they have no interest. What does the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, mean to some of these players? College Football Playoff, NFL, that’s all that matters.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F8wXF69clE&feature=emb_logo
Meyer has a point, and I’ve never understood those so-called traditionalists that are vehemently against going to eight teams. There are so many arguments that simply don’t hold water. Opening things up to more teams gets more programs involved, increases the interest, money, and exposure, as well as the excitement.
To me, it’s a slam dunk, and I’m glad to see Meyer finally get on board with it.
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