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Urban Meyer Reveals 'Way-Too-Early' National Championship Prediction
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Urban Meyer Reveals 'Way-Too-Early' National Championship Prediction

Originally posted on The Spun  |  By Tzvi Machlin  |  Last updated Aug 30, 2025 3:11 PM ET

Lost in all of the excitement for this college football season is the actual predictions that the top voices in the game have made. So prior to the start of the first full Saturday of college football, former three-time national championship head coach Urban Meyer weighed in.

In a short feature for FOX College Football, Meyer and the other Big Noon Kickoff team members were asked to make their "Way-Too-Early" national title picks. Matt Leinart went with Penn State (because he can't justify picking USC), Mark Ingram picked his alma mater Alabama, Brady Quinn chose his alma mater Notre Dame and Rob Stone called it a tie between LSU and Clemson.

Meyer took a different approach. He reserved the right to declare his favorite as the team that wins today's big game between Ohio State and Texas.

"I think you're gonna see whoever wins this game tomorrow being the national champions. So it's either this (makes Texas hand gesture) or this (makes Ohio State hand gesture)," Meyer said.

Meyer is well-known for his love of Ohio State, having coached the team from 2012 to 2018 and leading them to a national title in 2014. There's every reason to believe he would have had the Buckeyes in his shortlist of potential national title winners even if they weren't facing the Longhorns.

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 10: Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (#4) runs up field after making a catch during the CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns on January 10, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

The defending champs

Coming off their storybook 2024 national championship, the Ohio State Buckeyes enter the 2025 season with momentum and sky-high expectations. Head coach Ryan Day’s team features one of the deepest rosters in the country, anchored by sophomore sensation Jeremiah Smith, who set FBS freshman receiving records, and defensive leader Sonny Styles, a preseason All-American. With an elite defense that finished first nationally a year ago and an offense loaded with playmakers, Ohio State looks well-equipped to defend its crown. The Buckeyes’ schedule, highlighted by conference clashes and the ever-heated rivalry with Michigan, will test their mettle, but their combination of talent, depth, and championship experience makes them a consensus preseason playoff favorite.

The challengers

The Texas Longhorns enter 2025 determined to build on last year’s playoff semifinal appearance, positioning themselves as one of the SEC’s rising powers. Head coach Steve Sarkisian’s program continues to attract elite recruits and transfer talent, headlined by linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., a Butkus Award candidate, and safety Michael Taaffe, the defensive leader of a unit with championship aspirations. Offensively, Texas is reloading after the departure of key stars, but the team’s strong offensive line and versatile skill players promise balance and explosiveness. With a schedule that includes SEC heavyweights like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, Texas will be battle-tested early and often. If Sarkisian’s squad can navigate the gauntlet, the Longhorns have both the roster strength and coaching stability to return to the College Football Playoff conversation.

And that's all to say nothing of the hype surrounding Arch Manning.

Though as of writing, a lot of that hype is wearing off...

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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