Skull Session: Urban Meyer Talks Up Cincinnati’s Strength of Schedule, Michigan Could

Ohio State’s played one football game in the span of about a month. I’m ready for that to change.

Word of the Day: Fealty.

 SOS. Future Texas head coach Urban Meyer is undoubtedly busy these days, but he took some time out of his busy schedule to tell us all about how Cincinnati could have the stronger schedule, and thus, a better playoff resume than Ohio State.

Ohio State is in an odd position, as the Buckeyes sit at No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings and might not have an opportunity for an elite win left on the schedule. Games remain against Michigan State and Michigan before the Big Ten title game, but Ohio State seems unlikely to finish the season with a top-10 win.

That opens up questions as to whether a team below Ohio State could pass the scarlet and gray. It’s a bizarre possibility to think about, as an undefeated Big Ten team would normally never have an issue getting into the CFP. Of course, this isn’t a normal year.

Urban Meyer said on “Breaking the Huddle” with Joel Klatt that the team to watch as Ohio State’s competition isn’t necessarily Florida or Texas A&M out of the SEC, however. It’s in-state foe Cincinnati.

“If Ohio State plays and they don’t have a chance to beat a good team other than Indiana — because you look at Michigan State’s record and Michigan State is not a good team,” Meyer said. “You look at the Wolverines, they are not a good team. They’re really struggling. They could finish the season with one (impressive) win and you see Alabama has all these wins. Can you tell me Cincinnati has a worse schedule than Ohio State? No.”

Here’s the thing – he’s not wrong, but I’m gonna need people to stop acting like Cincinnati has run the gauntlet this season. Sure, the schedule is a bit more difficult, but the Bearcats also have as many wins against a ranked team as I do. And there’s a chance Ohio State finishes undefeated with two wins over ranked opponents, at least one of which will probably be a top-15 team.

Plus, a tougher schedule doesn’t mean Ohio State wouldn’t downright disembowel Cincinnati if they ever actually met on the football field, and the committee is absolutely taking that into account.

 LET’S GET WEIRD. The Game probably isn’t going to happen this year unless Michigan can magically get its COVID-19 situation under control by next week. 

But if the game is played, it sounds like things might get a little weird at quarterback for the Wolverines, according to the MGoBlog Roundtable podcast.

“Do Michigan fans really want to go back to Columbus with Dan Villari starting his first agme and no backup quarterback? Because I think, from what I saw of Joe Milton, especially the last pass which was a grounder, that he’s hurt. And it’s obvious that Cade McNamara is hurt, probably hurt coming into the game, certainly hurt halfway through the game.”

…

“I agree with you, Craig. I think if Michigan winds up playing that game against Ohio State, I think there’s a good chance that Dan Vilari is quarterback you heard them talk about Joe Miltion being hurt too  – there was some question whehter he was even going to suit up last game. … We’ll see how things go over the next week. But I’m not going into an Ohio State week knowing for sure either of the starting quarterbacks are going to be available for that contest. They might be in a situation where Dan Villari is the only guy they have available for that game.”

“And Hasan Haskins is the backup, running wild cats and he can throw the ball a little bit. And that’s what it would look like. And that’s a game Ohio State really wants to play?”

That’s a game we really want to play? Buddy, there is nothing I want more!

You think just because your team is in shambles that Ohio State fans wouldn’t get a year’s worth of joy from enjoying stuffing it down a garbage disposal for four hours? Sir, that’s been the reality of this damn game for almost two decades. Nothing’s different just because you might not have a quarterback.

And since when has “having a quarterback” been a requirement from your team anyway? We’re only three years removed from Jim Harbaugh allowing a fellow named John O’Korn running the offense. You’re really going to tell me that Dan Villari (though, hand up – I’d never heard of that kid in my life until today), or even Hassan Haskins, for that matter, is significantly worse than this?

Lastly, if roles were reversed you can bet your ass that Ohio State fans would be *begging* for the chance to dump your sorry ass with a third-string quarterback or a running back under center.

So I guess we just live in different realities, which is totally fine and good! It’s just, our reality ends in chasing national championships. And we haven’t seen the bottom of yours yet.

 FAMILIAR FOE. This might be the first time Mel Tucker’s facing him as a head coach, but…