Urban Meyer has big question about Ohio State football’s 2025 schedule

Urban Meyer, former head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, has never been shy about his opinions on football strategy, and his thoughts on scheduling have always carried weight within college football circles. As Ohio State prepares for the 2025 season, Meyer has raised a significant concern about the upcoming schedule, particularly with regard to the team’s non-conference matchups. His issue revolves around the choice to schedule a high-profile game against the Texas Longhorns. While Meyer recognizes the prestige and excitement that such a game can bring, he also questions whether it is in the best interest of the team’s pursuit of a national championship.

In this analysis, we will explore Urban Meyer’s concerns regarding the 2025 schedule, the broader implications of scheduling non-conference games, and the potential impact this scheduling choice could have on Ohio State’s season.

Urban Meyer’s Perspective on Scheduling

Meyer, who led Ohio State to a national title in 2014 and maintained a dominant program throughout his tenure, is acutely aware of how the decisions made in the offseason can influence a team’s fortunes during the regular season. In particular, scheduling plays a key role in a team’s ability to make the College Football Playoff (CFP), as strength of schedule is often a deciding factor when the selection committee is making its final decisions.

The 2025 Ohio State schedule includes a challenging non-conference game against Texas, a team that has long been one of college football’s powerhouses but has seen a resurgence under head coach Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns are expected to be a serious contender by 2025, meaning the game will be an intense, high-stakes matchup. Meyer’s concern is that such a game could put Ohio State at a disadvantage, especially when compared to other top-tier teams that may not face such difficult non-conference opponents.

Meyer points out that teams in college football often schedule non-conference games against weaker opponents to pad their records and improve their chances of making the playoffs. In the current college football landscape, where conference championships and strength of schedule are scrutinized closely by the CFP selection committee, a team can go undefeated in a relatively easy conference and still make it to the playoffs. In contrast, a team that plays a tough non-conference slate, like Ohio State, could suffer from a loss early in the season, which may have serious ramifications for their postseason aspirations.

Why Scheduling Texas is Risky

The decision to schedule Texas is undoubtedly a bold one. Texas is a program that has historically been one of the most successful in college football but has faced challenges in recent years. Under head coach Steve Sarkisian, however, Texas has made significant strides. By 2025, they are expected to be a serious contender for the College Football Playoff, making them a formidable opponent for Ohio State.

From Meyer’s perspective, this presents a risk. If Ohio State were to lose to Texas, it could set them back in the CFP rankings, especially since a loss to a team like Texas—while a respectable opponent—would be more damaging than a loss to a conference rival or a weaker non-conference opponent. Meyer worries that this loss could hinder Ohio State’s chances of making the CFP, especially if other top teams with easier schedules remain undefeated.

In the modern era of college football, where the CFP selection committee has often been criticized for placing too much emphasis on a team’s record and strength of schedule, a loss early in the season can have a lasting impact. For instance, if Ohio State were to lose to Texas but then go on to dominate the Big Ten, they could still have a strong case for inclusion in the playoff. However, the committee could view the loss to Texas as a negative mark on their record, even if the Longhorns prove to be a top team.

Moreover, Meyer questions whether the risk of such a loss is worth the reward. While a win over a highly-ranked Texas team would certainly boost Ohio State’s resume, the chances of that happening are far from guaranteed. Given the unpredictable nature of college football, Meyer wonders if Ohio State would be better off avoiding such a difficult non-conference opponent and instead focusing on building a schedule that increases their chances of going undefeated.

The Changing Landscape of College Football Scheduling

Meyer’s concerns about Ohio State’s 2025 schedule are reflective of a broader shift in how top programs approach scheduling. In the past, many teams, particularly those in power conferences like the Big Ten and SEC, scheduled one or two tough non-conference games, with the rest of their schedules consisting of relatively easy opponents. These teams would use these non-conference games to test themselves, but the expectation was always that they would run through the rest of their schedules and remain in contention for a playoff spot.

Today, however, the college football landscape has changed dramatically. The CFP has introduced a new layer of complexity to scheduling. Teams must not only worry about winning their conferences but also about their overall strength of schedule. A weak non-conference schedule can harm a team’s playoff hopes, but an overly difficult one, like Ohio State’s 2025 slate, presents a real risk.

This trend has led many top programs to reevaluate their scheduling strategies. Teams like Alabama and Georgia have built reputations for scheduling tough non-conference opponents, but they have also been criticized for relying on their respective conferences to provide the bulk of their competitive challenges. These schools have learned that balancing tough non-conference games with a manageable in-conference schedule is the best way to ensure a spot in the playoff.

Meyer’s view is rooted in his understanding of this balance. He acknowledges the value of playing high-profile games, but he believes it is more important for a program like Ohio State to ensure they are not putting themselves at an unnecessary disadvantage, especially when it comes to their pursuit of a national title.

The Importance of Scheduling Strategy for Ohio State

For Ohio State, scheduling is particularly important because of their position as one of the most prominent programs in the country. As a perennial contender in the Big Ten, Ohio State’s primary goal is to win the conference and secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, they must also contend with the growing number of teams vying for those coveted playoff spots.

Ohio State has a longstanding rivalry with Michigan and consistently faces tough opponents in the Big Ten, but the challenge of scheduling outside the conference is where the team can differentiate itself. In the past, Ohio State has played tough non-conference games against teams like Oklahoma and Notre Dame. These games are designed to showcase the program on a national stage and boost their resume for the playoff committee. But as Meyer points out, there is a fine line between scheduling challenging games and overextending oneself, which could lead to unnecessary losses.

The 2025 Texas game represents the kind of matchup that brings both excitement and risk. It’s an opportunity for Ohio State to prove themselves against another top-tier program, but it also carries the potential to hurt their chances at the national title if the result is unfavorable. This is why Meyer raises such a significant question about the scheduling decision: is the risk of a loss worth the potential reward of a high-profile win?

Meyer’s Final Thoughts

Urban Meyer’s concerns about Ohio State’s 2025 football schedule are valid, given the changing nature of college football and the added pressure of the College Football Playoff. The balance between challenging non-conference games and ensuring a manageable path to the playoff is something every top program must navigate carefully.

While Meyer’s perspective may not be universally shared—many fans and analysts argue that the excitement and prestige of games like Ohio State vs. Texas are what make college football great—it is a reflection of the reality that modern college football programs must operate in. Ohio State has a strong program, and they have the potential to overcome any challenges presented by their schedule. But Meyer’s question remains: is it worth the risk?

As the 2025 season draws nearer, Ohio State’s schedule will continue to be a topic of conversation. Whether the game against Texas proves to be a blessing or a curse for the Buckeyes will depend not only on the outcome of that game but also on how they perform throughout the rest of their challenging season.