Urban Meyer’s tenure as the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes was nothing short of legendary. From 2012 to 2018, he led the program to an 83-9 record, a national championship in 2014, and three Big Ten titles. His teams were known for their dominance, elite recruiting, and an unwavering competitive edge. Yet, despite all the success, there’s one thing that still eats at him—one moment, one decision, one outcome that he can’t quite let go of.
In a recent candid interview, Meyer admitted that he still holds a grudge over the 2016 College Football Playoff snub. The Buckeyes, who finished the regular season with an 11-1 record, were controversially left out of the playoff in favor of eventual national champion Clemson, despite Ohio State’s strong resume and a head-to-head road victory over Big Ten champion Penn State. Instead, the selection committee chose a one-loss Washington team and a two-loss Penn State squad (as Big Ten champs) over the Buckeyes, leaving Meyer and his team on the outside looking in.
“I still hold a grudge about that,” Meyer said. “We had a team that could’ve won it all that year. That decision cost us a shot.”
The 2016 season was a strange one for Ohio State. After losing a heartbreaker to Penn State in late October—a game where the Buckeyes blew a double-digit lead—they rebounded with dominant wins over Nebraska, Maryland, and Michigan State. Then, in what many considered the game of the year, they went into Ann Arbor and defeated No. 3 Michigan in double overtime, 30-27. That win solidified Ohio State as one of the nation’s best teams, but the playoff committee’s decision to prioritize conference championships over overall resumes left them out.
Meyer’s frustration isn’t just about the snub itself—it’s about the precedent it set. “We were told the playoff was about the best four teams, not just conference champions,” he said. “But that year, it felt like the rules changed on us.” Indeed, Ohio State had a stronger strength of schedule than Washington and had just beaten a Michigan team that many believed was playoff-caliber. Yet, the Buckeyes were left at No. 5, watching as Clemson, Alabama, Washington, and Penn State battled for the title.
What makes this particularly painful for Meyer is that he believes the 2016 team was one of his most talented. The roster was stacked with future NFL stars: Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley, Curtis Samuel, and J.T. Barrett, among others. The defense was one of the best in the country, and the offense, while inconsistent at times, had explosive playmakers. “That team was special,” Meyer recalled. “We had the talent, the leadership, and the toughness to go all the way. Not getting that chance still bothers me.”
The debate over whether Ohio State deserved a playoff spot that year continues to this day. Supporters of the committee’s decision argue that Penn State, as Big Ten champions, had a stronger case, especially since they had beaten Ohio State head-to-head. Others point to Washington’s strong season and conference title as justification for their inclusion. But Meyer’s counterargument is simple: “If the playoff is about the best four teams, we were one of them. Period.”
This wasn’t the only time Meyer felt slighted by the playoff system. In 2015, Ohio State entered the season as the defending national champions and finished 11-1, but again missed the playoff due to a lack of a conference title. However, it’s the 2016 exclusion that stings the most because of how close they were—and how good they were.
Meyer’s grudge isn’t just personal; it reflects a larger frustration with the unpredictability of the playoff selection process. “There’s no consistency,” he said. “One year, they value conference championships. The next, they don’t. It’s hard to coach when the goalposts keep moving.”
Now, with the playoff expanding to 12 teams, Meyer acknowledges that situations like 2016 will be less likely to happen. But that doesn’t erase the past. “I’m glad they’re fixing it,” he said. “But it doesn’t change the fact that we got robbed of a shot.”
For Ohio State fans, the 2016 season remains a “what if?” moment. What if the Buckeyes had gotten in? Could they have beaten Clemson or Alabama? Would they have won another title under Meyer? We’ll never know. And that’s exactly why Meyer still holds a grudge.
Even years later, as he’s moved on to broadcasting and other ventures, the competitive fire still burns. “You don’t forget something like that,” he said. “It fuels you. It makes you want to prove people wrong, even now.”
If there’s one thing Urban Meyer has never been accused of, it’s lacking passion. And when it comes to the 2016 playoff snub, that passion is still very much alive. Some grudges never fade—especially when you believe you were right all along.
