Nick Saban or Urban Meyer?

That always seems to be the question that circles around college football every year. And while we aren’t going to be able to answer that question until both coaches retire – and maybe still won’t be able to make a definitive case one way or the other – one expert claims there is some separation in the recruiting aspect.

Mike Farrell, director of recruiting at Rivals.com, made an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show on Monday to talk about some of the big headlines as National Signing Day approaches. He was also on to discuss a story he published with Adam Gorney titled Beyond Bama: overshadowed recruiting powers, a piece in which he assesses how teams and coaches outside of Tuscaloosa stack up on the recruiting trail.

So when Finebaum asked who the nation’s top recruiter was, Farrell responded with this answer:

Nick Saban might be No. 2 behind Urban Meyer in living rooms.

Farrell cited Meyer’s presence in power states as well as his ability to relate to his recruits has given him the upper hand on the trail.

In his article, Farrell had this to say about Ohio State:

The Buckeyes have the second-biggest in-state advantage in a power state, and it also shows. Urban Meyer’s arrival took things to a new level for Ohio State, and this year’s class is his best. What Meyer did that his predecessors didn’t do with as much consistency was go into power states like Florida, Georgia, Texas and California and pull top kids. Now Ohio State can recruit with anyone.

As of Monday evening, Alabama had the nation’s top recruiting class with Ohio State in second. Both teams have five commits with a five-star rating. National Signing Day is Wednesday.

There’s still a lot of years left for both Saban and Meyer, so don’t expect these conversations to quiet down anytime soon. But it seems we have a temporary solution to who college football’s top recruiter is.

At least for now.