ATLANTA – The two teams in Monday’s College Football Playoff championship game are close to Urban Meyer’s heart.
Meyer, who is Catholic, coached wide receivers at Notre Dame from 1996-2000, which served as a springboard to his head coaching career.
His allegiance to Ohio State runs even deeper. He grew up a devoted OSU fan with an Archie Griffin poster in his Ashtabula, Ohio, bedroom. His college coaching career began as as graduate assistant under Earle Bruce from 1986-87. He won his third national title as a coach leading the Buckeyes to the 2014 championship during his seven-year tenure.
“It’s going to be an incredible game,” said Meyer, who on Wednesday was announced as a 2025 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame.
What impresses Meyer the most about Notre Dame is the Fighting Irish’s mental toughness.
“They’ve dealt with some injuries, but they’ve got a refuse-to-lose mentality,” he said. “Their toughness and resilience was on display against Penn State and Georgia. I’m a big fan of (coach) Marcus Freeman and their team. A refuse-to-lose mentality is tough to beat.”
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As for Ohio State, Meyer said, “That’s arguably the most talented roster I’ve ever seen. I was going through this the other day. Every skill position player, I think, is going to be an impactful NFL player – a starter in the NFL. I don’t know if I’ve ever been able to say that before.
“The last three games, they’ve hit their stride. They’re as well-coached and as talented a team as I’ve seen.”
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Meyer’s 2014 team overcame an early-season loss to unranked Virginia Tech. Ohio State’s 13-10 loss to Michigan was even more stunning. Meyer credits OSU’s players for regrouping.
“By the time you get to that point of the season, it’s player-driven,” Meyer said. “Either you’ve got them or you don’t. I go back to our ’14 team. When J.T. Barrett got hurt (against Michigan), that team could have done one of two things. (Linebackers) Joshua Perry and Curtis Grant and the leadership on that team was (invaluable).
“If you’re blessed to have a powerful locker room of (Jack) Sawyer and Emeka (Egbuka). … I’ve heard some of the comments of those kids, that’s what you’re witnessing because it could have gone the other way.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Urban Meyer expects ‘incredible game’ between Ohio State, Notre Dame
