To keep the arch-foes rivalry aside and praise Michigan (or its players) for the overall good, you have to be an Ohio State Buckeyes legend or exclusively former coach Urban Meyer. Anyone else, whether a current Buckeye or a former one still trying to climb into that “legend” status, would spark outrage the moment they tried. But when the mayor with an ‘e’ speaks, especially on the Big Ten, the football world listens…

This week on Big Ten Network’s ‘Urban Analysis’, Meyer did more than reminisce about the old days. He went bold. The former Ohio State and Florida head coach claimed the Big Ten has overtaken the SEC as the best conference in America. And his reasoning? A tidal wave of quarterback talent paired with a trophy case that suddenly looks like it belongs in Columbus and Ann Arbor rather than Tuscaloosa or Athens.

“I’m willing to say this might be the best collection of young quarterbacks I’ve ever seen,” Meyer said. “So, here’s the impact. The SEC is now the number two conference, and the Big Ten conference is now number one. I never really thought that would happen.” Coming from Urban Meyer, the guy who built national-title machines at both OSU and Florida, it’s measured, depending on which sideline you sit on, probably uncomfortable. Especially when the evidence he laid out feels tough to dispute.

Meyer pointed straight at the back-to-back national titles won by Ohio State and Michigan in 2023 and 2024, calling them proof that the Big Ten isn’t playing catch-up anymore. He also tipped his cap to the way Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon have started the 2025 season, using their dominance as fresh examples of why the league is operating at a different level right now.

For added emphasis, the network rolled out a “Magnificent 7” graphic, featuring Michigan’s Bryce Underwood, Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Oregon’s Dante Moore, Maryland’s Malik Washington, Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles, and Washington’s Demond Williams Jr. A lineup that looks like a college football version of the Avengers.

“For many, many years … the SEC was here, the Big Ten was here,” Meyer said, raising one hand above the other. “You know what’s happened? Back-to-back national champions with the Buckeyes and the Wolverines. It has certainly risen, the level of play in the Big Ten conference, and these guys are going to be around for a while.”

And it wasn’t just about the banners hanging in Columbus and Ann Arbor. This was publicly highlighted by Ohio State’s decisive wins over Texas, the SEC’s top-ranked program. First in the Cotton Bowl last season, then again in Week 1 this season, both in 2025, the Buckeyes doubled up the Longhorns’ scoring both times, turning heavyweight matchups into lopsided reminders of where the power currently resides. That gave Urban Meyer plenty of dare to break one of football’s sacred rules. Don’t praise your rival. But in doing so, he painted a bigger picture.

Urban Meyer breaks the rivalry code for Bryce Underwood

When Urban Meyer talks QBs, people lean in. 17 years of coaching and molding players like Tim Tebow will do that. And now, the former Ohio State head coach is throwing his weight behind a name that Buckeye fans might flinch at: Michigan’s true freshman starter, Bryce Underwood.

“Don’t pump the brakes on Bryce Underwood,” Meyer said. “He’s going to be fantastic. I love this player.” It’s the kind of endorsement that makes headlines, especially coming from a man who once lived and breathed the Michigan rivalry. Underwood’s Wolverines have only stumbled once so far, falling to No. 13 Oklahoma, but Meyer isn’t worried. As he pointed out, “There’s still a long season ahead.”

Circle Nov. 29 on the calendar, because that’s when Underwood and Michigan take on Ohio State.