Urban Meyer: 'The Big Ten is legit now' following conference realignment
Urban Meyer knows a thing or two about the Big Ten, and he addressed the recent conference realignment moves that have rocked the country.
In regards to the B1G, the league recently picked up Oregon and Washington to be added with USC and UCLA in 2024. During the latest “Urban’s Take with Tim May,” Meyer indicated he believes college athletics is eventually headed to 2 power conferences.
He particularly pointed to the impact of television contracts and how the Pac-12 started splintering after the league failed to sign a deal:
“I think it’s going to turn out to be 2 power conferences. I think you’re going to have the north-south possibly,” said Meyer. “I’m with FOX and I can see FOX is all over the Big Ten, Pac-12, and Big 12. Not as much Pac-12 because it’s basically gone after this year. And the SEC is committed to ESPN.
“You saw what happened when the Pac-12 did not sign that television contract. I mean you talk about people ran — the best programs ran — from the Pac-12 and that tells you the value of that.”
Meyer went on to explain the addition of the Pac-12 programs makes the B1G “legit now.” However, he also believes the league is already great, and Meyer hopes the conference is kept that way.
“Obviously I’m a big believer in the Big Ten. I think the addition of these teams — the Big Ten is legit now,” Meyer explained. “…There’s just so many scenarios that you get your mind thinking about how great this conference is, I hope we keep it there.”