Urban Meyer Makes His SEC and Big Ten Championship Picks Official

Urban Meyer went two different directions when picking conference champions for the 2026 college football season, backing the program he coached to a title in one league and the team many expect to unseat it in another.

On The Triple Option podcast, Meyer laid out his reasoning for choosing who will win the SEC and Big Ten conferences, weighing rosters, schedules and staff continuity for each pick.

Urban Meyer picks Ohio State to win the Big Ten

Meyer selected Ohio State over Oregon and Indiana, citing a conversation with head coach Ryan Day about the Buckeyes' level of roster turnover.

"I see Ohio State as a favorite, but I talked to Coach Day the other day, and they have 50 new players. So it's uncharted waters a little bit because they're not that type of team that has had to do that. But he loves his team. I can tell in his voice, and he doesn't BS me, that he loves his team. They have the most difficult schedule they've had in a minute, but I'm going to pick Ohio State. I think Oregon will be right there, and Indiana is third, but I think we have it right in order."

Meyer also acknowledged the schedule could work against Ohio State finishing on top. "There's an easy scenario where the Buckeyes are third in the Big Ten because of that schedule. It's so brutal."

Ohio State enters the season ranked No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches polls. The Buckeyes return eight starters on offense, led by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and face a schedule that includes road trips to Texas, Indiana and USC along with a home date against Oregon.

Urban Meyer picks Texas to win the SEC

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian gestures after a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Meyer went with Texas over Georgia and LSU, pointing to quarterback Arch Manning entering his second year as the starter. "I'm going to pick Texas as the SEC champ. I (like) Georgia. I think LSU, they're going to be good just because of the new staff. It'll take a minute for Charlie Weis Jr. to get that offense going, but once they do, I think LSU will be there."

Manning enters his second season as the full-time starter with an upgraded supporting cast, including Auburn transfer Cam Coleman at receiver. Defensive end Colin Simmons anchors a Texas front that projects as one of the SEC's most disruptive pass rushes under coordinator Will Muschamp. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has built the offense around Manning's growth heading into fall camp, calling the roster the most complete he has had at the position.

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