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Urban Meyer is no stranger to high-stakes college football. As a former head coach with a proven track record at Florida and Ohio State, Meyer has been at the forefront of the sport’s most exciting moments. Throughout his illustrious career, Meyer has seen the evolution of college football from the inside out. But despite the many highs, Meyer recently voiced his concerns about the future of the sport, especially regarding the potential loss of some of college football’s most important games. His comments have struck a chord with fans and experts alike, as the landscape of college football continues to change in significant ways.

### **The Changing Landscape of College Football**

Over the last decade, college football has undergone several major transformations. From conference realignment to the introduction of the College Football Playoff (CFP), the sport has evolved rapidly. But perhaps the biggest change is the looming expansion of the playoff system, which will increase the number of teams vying for a national title. These changes are not just limited to the playoff system but extend to how games are scheduled, how players move between programs with the rise of the transfer portal, and how NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) agreements are affecting recruitment and player development.

For Meyer, one of the most pressing concerns is how these changes could potentially affect the most important games in college football—the ones that define seasons, conferences, and legacies. Meyer recently expressed his fear that college football could be heading toward a future where the most iconic matchups—the ones that shape the sport’s narrative—are diluted or lost entirely due to the pressures of expansion and the changing priorities of college athletics.

### **The Importance of Rivalries**

One of Meyer’s biggest concerns revolves around the potential erosion of college football’s historic rivalries. These rivalries are more than just games; they are the lifeblood of the sport, the emotional core that gives college football its unique appeal. From the storied Michigan-Ohio State rivalry to the fierce battles between Alabama and Auburn, these games carry an emotional weight that is hard to replicate in any other sport.

However, with conference realignment, the potential for new playoff formats, and the growing influence of television contracts, there is a legitimate concern that these rivalries could be reduced in importance. For instance, if conference expansion continues to spread teams out across the country, traditional rivalry games that have defined college football for over a century might become less frequent or even disappear entirely.

Meyer specifically mentioned how the increased focus on playoff positioning and revenue generation could force schools to prioritize winning over preserving the integrity of rivalries. For example, teams may be tempted to schedule less competitive opponents in order to ensure a better path to the playoffs, leaving traditional rivalry games behind in favor of more “strategic” matchups. This could lead to the dilution of some of the sport’s most beloved traditions, including those rivalries that fans cherish.

In the past, the Michigan-Ohio State game was always a season-defining event. Meyer’s own experience coaching in that rivalry speaks to its importance. The game wasn’t just about championship hopes; it was about pride, legacy, and a year’s worth of bragging rights. For Meyer, the thought of these rivalries being sacrificed for the sake of more playoff spots or higher revenue is something that could harm the essence of college football.

### **The Expansion of the Playoff and Its Consequences**

One of the major changes that have prompted Meyer’s concerns is the expansion of the College Football Playoff. When the four-team playoff format was introduced in 2014, many believed it would elevate the sport to new heights, offering a more legitimate avenue to determine a national champion. Over the years, however, there has been growing discontent with the format, particularly from teams and conferences that felt excluded from the playoff picture.

In response, the playoff system is expanding to 12 teams, with the hope of creating a more inclusive and competitive environment. However, Meyer argues that this expansion could have unintended consequences for college football. While it may seem like a positive move for inclusion, Meyer fears that it will lead to the devaluation of regular-season games and conference championships.

Under the old system, every regular-season game mattered. Teams couldn’t afford to drop one if they wanted to stay in the playoff hunt. The importance of games like Michigan-Ohio State, Alabama-Georgia, or Oklahoma-Texas was amplified because a loss in one of those games could mean the difference between making the playoff and being left out. With the new expanded format, Meyer worries that some teams could afford to lose a game here and there and still make the playoff, which would diminish the sense of urgency and excitement surrounding the regular season.

In particular, the expanded playoff could lead to conference championships being less important. Teams that have already secured a spot in the playoff may not feel the need to give their all in these games, especially if they don’t have to win to secure their place in the tournament. This could undermine the competitive integrity of the regular season and, as Meyer points out, lessen the significance of crucial games.

### **The Rise of Television Contracts and Financial Influence**

In addition to the structural changes in the playoff system, Meyer has also expressed concern about the growing influence of television contracts and financial considerations on college football. As college athletics becomes increasingly driven by revenue, television networks and broadcast deals have gained more control over scheduling and matchups. This financial influence has already resulted in some marquee games being shifted to times that are less ideal for fans, such as mid-week matchups or late-night games that don’t carry the same intensity as those played during the prime Saturday afternoon slots.

Meyer points out that when financial incentives become the driving force behind game scheduling, it could result in a situation where the most significant games in college football lose some of their prestige. The need for television networks to maximize ratings and profits might lead to the scheduling of matchups that are less about tradition and more about maximizing viewership, regardless of the historical significance of a game.

For example, while it’s crucial for schools to maintain strong television contracts, Meyer fears that networks may push for matchups that prioritize national exposure over regional significance. This could lead to the marginalization of games that matter most to passionate fanbases in favor of games that cater to a broader, more commercialized audience. In the worst-case scenario, the most important games in college football could be relegated to late-night slots or even become part of an ever-growing list of irrelevant exhibition games designed to generate revenue rather than honor the sport’s deep-rooted traditions.

### **Looking Ahead: Finding a Balance**

While Meyer’s concerns about the future of college football are valid, it’s important to acknowledge that change is inevitable. College football is a massive, multimillion-dollar industry, and as the sport continues to grow, so too does the need for structural adaptations. The key, however, will be finding a balance—ensuring that the sport’s rich history and traditions are not lost in the shuffle while also embracing the necessary changes to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Meyer’s fears are not entirely unfounded, but his message is clear: college football must be careful not to lose what makes it unique. The sport’s most iconic games—those that have defined generations of fans—must remain central to the college football experience. It’s up to the decision-makers in the sport to ensure that the future of college football honors its past while also looking forward to a more inclusive and competitive future.

In the end, Meyer’s concerns serve as a reminder of just how precious college football’s history is, and how important it is to protect the games that matter most.