Mark Ingram and Urban Meyer Blast College Football Playoff Committee After Blowout Round
The College Football Playoff (CFP) has long been a subject of debate, but after the first-round blowouts in the 2024 edition, two prominent figures—former Alabama running back Mark Ingram and former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer—are calling out the CFP selection committee for its handling of the postseason field.
The first round of the 2024 CFP featured two one-sided affairs that left fans and analysts questioning the strength of the teams that made the cut. Ingram, who won the 2009 Heisman Trophy and is a long-time analyst for college football, voiced his frustrations about the apparent imbalance between top-ranked teams and the lower-seeded squads. “It’s supposed to be the best of the best, but what we saw in that first round was not competitive football,” Ingram said. “When you have matchups like that, it makes you wonder if the committee truly got it right.”
Meanwhile, Urban Meyer, one of the most successful coaches in college football history with multiple national championships, echoed Ingram’s sentiments. “The committee has to do a better job of considering not just conference championships and records, but the overall quality of the teams,” Meyer remarked. “We saw clear disparities in talent, and it raises a larger question about the selection process. Are we really getting the best teams in this playoff, or are we simply rewarding resumes?”
Both Ingram and Meyer took issue with the committee’s choice to include teams from Power Five conferences that were not seen as national title contenders, while leaving out teams from non-Power Five conferences or those with stronger resumes but weaker conference affiliations. Ingram also pointed out that certain top-tier teams, though deserving of a playoff spot, could have been better matched against more competitive opponents in the early rounds.
While the CFP format has been praised for increasing inclusivity and excitement in college football, its critics, including Ingram and Meyer, argue that the current system often rewards brand-name programs over true on-field merit. For Ingram, who is no stranger to championship football, the mismatch between top-tier and lower-tier teams highlights the need for reforms. Meyer, who guided Ohio State to multiple playoff appearances, believes the committee needs to reexamine its criteria to ensure the most competitive teams are given the best chance to showcase their talent.
As the CFP continues to evolve, it’s clear that the conversation surrounding the selection process is far from over. For now, Ingram and Meyer’s remarks are sure to spark a broader debate about the future of college football’s postseason. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if changes come in response to the mounting criticism of this year’s playoff format.
