Urban Meyer Changes Tune, Advocates for College Football Playoff Expansion

Urban Meyer is a powerful voice in college football. After spending years arguing to keep the College Football Playoff at four teams, he has now come around. He now believes expansion is needed.

Here is what the former Florida and Ohio State head coach had to say during “Big Noon Kickoff” on Saturday. It might not be what you would expect, either.

"Expand the Playoff. I can't believe those words just came out of my mouth."@CoachUrbanMeyer, @Brady_Quinn and @MattLeinartQB discuss why the CFP system needs to be reformed 🏆 #BigNoonKickoff pic.twitter.com/oLr0Lw2bcC

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 19, 2020

For those who cannot view the tweet, here is the comment.

“I have had some really deep conversations with some of my colleagues, and the game is changing. I can’t believe I’m saying it, because I’m a traditionalist. I love the bowl games, I love the bowl experiences. But you have two different sets of groups. You have the elite group, the high-profile players and the maybe the not so high-profile.

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. I say expand the playoff. I can’t believe that came out of my mouth. I know you guys are saying more teams are going to be involved. I say more players are going to be involved.”

Meyer makes an interesting point here. The argument that bowl games have lost meaning is absolutely true, and it’s led to multiple issues, including players choosing to opt out early.

It’s not just about the teams. It’s about those players who make up the teams.

Will things be changed? Could there be a Playoff expansion coming? That is unknown, but something has to be done. As things sit, Alabama and Clemson are the only two definitive Playoff teams. Ohio State is almost a shoe in as well despite only playing six games.

From there, it gets dicey. We do know that, yet again, an undefeated Group of Five team (Cincinnati) is on the outside looking in. Could they work their way into top four with the way things are shaping up on Saturday? Maybe, maybe not.

Either way, those advocating for expansion added a powerful voice on Saturday.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.