Urban Meyer Wrongfully Criticizes 2025 Georgia Football Schedule

Urban Meyer, the former head coach of Ohio State and Florida, has recently voiced strong criticism regarding the non-conference schedules of both Michigan and Georgia for the 2025 college football season. Meyer expressed concerns that these schedules are too lenient and may undermine the integrity of college football, especially with the expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) to 12 teams.

Georgia’s non-conference opponents for the 2025 season include:

• UT Martin
• Ball State
• UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
• Georgia Tech (a traditional rivalry game)

These matchups have drawn criticism for lacking the competitive challenge that some believe is necessary to prepare teams for the rigors of the SEC and the CFP.

On his podcast, Urban’s Take with Tim May, Meyer stated:

“Georgia is playing a schedule that, at the end of the day, you’re supposed to be penalized for that, and they’re not.”

He further emphasized the need for the NCAA to mandate more challenging non-conference schedules to ensure fairness and maintain the sport’s integrity. Meyer highlighted that teams like Ohio State, which have scheduled tough opponents such as Notre Dame, are at a disadvantage if other top teams are not held to similar standards.

While Georgia’s non-conference schedule may appear less challenging, it’s important to consider several factors:

• Georgia Tech Rivalry: The annual game against Georgia Tech is a longstanding tradition and often presents a competitive challenge, regardless of each team’s season performance.
• Conference Scheduling: The SEC’s decision to maintain an 8-game conference schedule, as opposed to the Big Ten’s 9-game schedule, means that SEC teams have fewer opportunities to schedule additional high-profile non-conference games.
• Recruiting and Development: Georgia’s strong recruiting classes and depth allow them to compete at a high level, even if their non-conference schedule is less demanding.

These factors contribute to Georgia’s ability to perform well despite the criticisms of their schedule.

Meyer’s comments have sparked a broader debate about the nature of college football scheduling:

• Competitive Balance: Critics argue that teams should be incentivized to schedule tougher opponents to ensure a level playing field and to prepare adequately for postseason play.
• Financial Considerations: Some programs may opt for less challenging non-conference games due to financial incentives, such as guaranteed payouts from smaller schools.
• Fan Engagement: High-profile non-conference games can generate significant fan interest and media attention, benefiting both teams and the sport as a whole.

The expansion of the CFP has intensified these discussions, as teams now have more at stake in their scheduling decisions.

Urban Meyer’s criticism of Georgia’s 2025 non-conference schedule brings to light important issues regarding fairness, competition, and the future of college football. While Georgia’s schedule may not be as challenging as some would prefer, it’s essential to consider the broader context, including conference policies and traditional rivalries. As the sport continues to evolve, the debate over scheduling practices will likely remain a central topic among coaches, administrators, and fans alike.