Urban Meyer Blasts College Football Playoff Format After First Round

“It’s not the 12 best teams in America," Meyer said. "It’s really not even close, to be honest with you. And, from what I saw? I guess what’s amazing to me is, what did you expect? You know, maybe there’d be a gigantic upset or something like that, but to throw those guys out there and say, okay, you guys are going to go fly across and play at Oregon? You know, I’m just not a fan of that. When I saw it hit, I thought that’s not – it’s really not fair for the players involved, it’s not fair to the coach, and it’s certainly not fair to those two teams that were left out."

Meyer is referencing how two Group of Five teams secured spots in the CFP because the CFP grants automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions. This ensures that at least one Group of Five team will make it into the playoff. However, this year, two Group of Five champions qualified since both were ranked higher than the ACC champion, the Duke Blue Devils (8-5).

The problem with his stance is that there have been blowouts almost every year since the playoffs started in 2014 that didn't involve Group of Five programs. Here is a list of games before this season that were decided by more than 20 points since the playoffs began:

• 2014: Florida State lost by 39 to Oregon
• 2014: Oregon lost by 22 to Ohio State
• 2015: Oklahoma lost by 20 to Clemson
• 2015: Michigan State lost by 38 to Alabama
• 2016: Ohio State lost by 31 to Clemson
• 2018: Notre Dame lost by 27 to Clemson
• 2018: Alabama lost by 28 to Clemson
• 2019: Oklahoma lost by 35 to LSU
• 2020: Clemson lost by 21 to Ohio State
• 2020: Ohio State lost by 28 to Alabama
• 2021: Michigan lost by 23 to Georgia
• 2021: Cincinnati lost by 21 to Alabama
• 2022: TCU lost by 58 to Georgia
• 2023: Washington lost by 21 to Michigan
• 2024: SMU lost by 28 to Penn State
• 2024: Tennessee lost by 25 to Ohio State
• 2024: Oregon lost by 20 to Ohio State

While Meyer’s criticism centers on the inclusion of Group of Five teams, history suggests blowouts are not unique to the expanded playoff or to smaller conferences. Since the CFP’s inception in 2014, lopsided games have been a recurring theme, often involving traditional power programs on the biggest stage. The results from this first round appear less like an anomaly and more like a continuation of a long-standing trend in postseason college football.

As the playoff moves into the quarterfinals, the debate over format is only going to intensify. Television ratings, competitive balance and the question of whether the CFP should prioritize “best teams” or conference champions will continue to shape the conversation. For now, the focus shifts back to the remaining contenders, but the fallout from these first-round results may ultimately influence future adjustments to the playoff structure.