Texas Football: How the Urban Meyer suspension will effect the Longhorns

The news finally broke as to how the punishment for Urban Meyer would come down. How will it impact Texas football related to Ohio State?

The news that the college football world had been waiting for finally came down for the head football coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes Urban Meyer. According to ESPN, Meyer will continue to be on paid leave until Sep. 2, which will then be followed by a three-game suspension. To add to that, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith is suspended until Sep. 16. Somehow, Texas football and head coach Tom Herman got intertwined with this debacle for the Buckeyes.

Once this situation surrounding Meyer and his coaching staff at Ohio State came about, and even dating back to his days with the Florida Gators, it shook the entire college football landscape. The specific allegations that resulted in Meyer getting placed on administrative leave came from his handling, or lack thereof, of punishment for assistant coach Zach Smith.

With the announcement that Smith was dismissed from the Ohio State football program, a more in-depth look into Meyer’s past with his long-time assistant began. That in-depth look found that Meyer had foregone any extensive punishment for Smith through numerous domestic violence accusations and even a DUI charge.

For the past two weeks, Ohio State University conducted an investigation into the dealings with Meyer and his coaching staff to reach a recommendation to his status with the program from the board of trustees. Aug. 22 saw the announcement of his three-game suspension.

That three-game suspension will cause Meyer to miss matchups with the Oregon State Beavers, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and No. 16 ranked TCU Horned Frogs. Since all three of those matchups come against Power Five opponents, it could have an impact for the Buckeyes with missing Meyer for that span of time.

As this pertains to the Longhorns, it’s pretty crazy how Herman and his program got involved with this in the first place. Some disproven allegations came about that Herman was linked to Zach Smith’s ex-wife Courtney Smith with past financial dealings. Nothing came about that would be damaging to Herman in this situation at this point.

All these distractions that could be misdirecting the focus of the Texas football locker room are the biggest impact this Meyer situation could have on the Forty Acres. Since the head coach of this program got involved directly in national headlines, nothing good could come from this news for the Horns.

And as we’ve mentioned before, this Meyer suspension actually could have an on the field impact for Texas. Since TCU faces the Buckeyes the week before the Horns do in their Big 12 opener, there could be a big momentum swing hanging in the balance for the Frogs.

Getting involved in off the field issues and scandals from other program has become a theme for the Horns almost inadvertently. Between Meyer and the Buckeyes and D.J. Durkin’s issue with the Maryland Terrapins, recent coaching scandals will have a huge impact on the early season for the Horns.