Urban Meyer claims key injury cost Ohio State, had edge over 2018 Clemson champions

Brady Quinn, Matt Leinart, Mark Ingram and Urban Meyer discuss whether Ohio State-Indiana shows the Big Ten is the best conference in CFB or not.

The 2018 Clemson football team routed Alabama in that season’s College Football Playoff National Championship, cementing its place in the sport’s lore.

The undefeated season, punctuated by a 44-16 rout of Alabama in the title game, pushed the Tigers into the all-time-great debate. Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer argued another team was superior to Clemson that year, pointing to Nick Bosa’s 2018 injury as the key reason the Buckeyes fell short of a title.

"Nick Bosa is one of the best football players I've ever been around. I'd put Percy Harvin No. 1... maybe Nick Bosa No. 2. If Nick Bosa is playing for Ohio State (in) 2018, I think Ohio State wins it all. That's how good a player he was," Meyer said during a recent edition of "The Triple Option" podcast, which he co-hosts with former Alabama standout Mark Ingram II and Rob Stone.

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Urban Meyer stands on the sidelines before the Peach Bowl semifinal game between the Oregon Ducks and Indiana Hoosiers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Jan. 9, 2026. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)

Meyer acknowledged the logic behind preparing Nick Bosa for the NFL Draft but admitted the choice still stung as the Buckeyes chased a title.

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"He got hurt (in) game 3. When he was getting close to maybe be able to come back, they decided to get him ready for the NFL Draft... which that broke my heart. But I get it."

Ohio State went 13-1 in 2018, with its only loss coming in Big Ten play against Purdue. The Buckeyes were