Urban Meyer has cast doubt on the competitiveness of the national championship matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame, citing a significant disparity in talent between the two teams.
Speaking on The Triple Option, Meyer shared his insights after thoroughly analyzing film of both squads. He emphasized the concept of “talent-equated” matchups, which he believes is a critical factor in game planning.
“I’ve always used the term ‘talent-equated,’” Meyer explained. “It means they’ve got what you’ve got, and sometimes even better. That changes the entire approach to a game. If the other team has a superior roster, it alters everything in your planning.”
Meyer was direct in his assessment: Notre Dame simply doesn’t measure up to Ohio State, particularly on offense. While the Fighting Irish defense is strong, injuries have left them short of key players, creating a gap that Meyer believes will be difficult to overcome.
“Notre Dame’s defense is phenomenal,” Meyer acknowledged. “Al Golden, their defensive coordinator, is an exceptional coach, and they’ve got great talent on that side of the ball. But they’ve lost three or four really good defensive players. Offensively, though, it’s just not a talent-equated game. On paper and on film, the difference is clear.”
Despite his reservations, Meyer admitted that Notre Dame’s resilience cannot be underestimated. Their performance this season, including a playoff victory where they overcame a talent deficit, demonstrates their grit and determination.
“The Fighting Irish have that refuse-to-lose mentality,” Meyer said. “When they beat Georgia, it wasn’t about going toe-to-toe with superior talent. They capitalized on moments—a short field, a kickoff return for a touchdown. The game flipped in their favor without matching Georgia blow-for-blow, even though Georgia probably had the better roster.”
As the championship game approaches, Meyer’s analysis underscores the challenge ahead for Notre Dame. While their underdog spirit has carried them this far, overcoming Ohio State’s superior talent on Monday in Atlanta will require a near-perfect performance.
