Joel Klatt – Page 4 – Syndication Server

Pundits still a bit cold on Notre Dame despite slew of upsets

Notre Dame didn’t benefit much from upsets, at least not in the experts’ eyes.

One might think that with Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, USC and Michigan losing all on the same Saturday, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish might get a bit more love from pundits even though the Irish were idle.

That’s not quite how things have shaken out, despite Notre Dame moving up in the AP Top 25 poll.

Joel Klatt does give the Irish the “almost” treatment, but he still leaves them outside his Top 10. Danny Kannell still has Notre Dame outside of his Top 12.

Klatt goes Texas, Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon and Penn State with his top five. Kannell has his top five as Texas, Ohio State, Miami, Oregon and Penn State.

Perhaps the Irish would’ve been placed higher on these folks’ lists if they’d played and won on Saturday. Either way, the rash of upsets is probably good news for Notre Dame — assuming the Irish don’t fall victim to another upset of their own.

My new CFB Top 10 (10/6)
1) @TexasFootball
2) @OhioStateFB
3) @GeorgiaFootball
4) @oregonfootball
5) @PennStateFball
6) @AlabamaFTBL
7) @ClemsonFB
8) @CanesFootball
9) @Vol_Football
10) @CycloneFB
Almost: @LSUfootball @OleMissFB @BYUfootball @NDFootball @BroncoSportsFB

— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) October 6, 2024

After the wildest day in college football…here is the brand new #DKtop12 #Earned Trust the resume not the logo

1. Texas
2. Ohio State
3. Miami
4. Oregon
5. Penn State
6. BYU
7. Indiana
8. Iowa State
9. Pitt
10. SMU
11. Georgia
12. Clemson

— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) October 6, 2024

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Joel Klatt includes LSU in latest College Football Playoff prediction

The Tigers’ playoff hopes are alive and well despite a loss to open the season.

LSU’s hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time under coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] in Year 3 seemed to take quite a hit in Week 1.

That season-opening loss to USC decreased the margin for error quite a bit, but the Tigers have won four games in a row since then, and with the remaining schedule looking relatively favorable, a clear path to the CFP remains in view.

College football analyst Joel Klatt is buying LSU’s chances. In his latest 12-team projection, he gives the Tigers the final at-large spot in the field with the No. 11 seed. Here’s his reasoning.

“I think LSU, I expect them to beat Ole Miss in that night game at Death Valley,” Klatt said. “I expect them to beat A&M on the road, beat Oklahoma at home and lose to Alabama. So for me, LSU is a 10-2 team, 7-1 in the SEC. 7-1 in the SEC, to me, gets you in.”

The game against the Rebels after the bye will certainly determine quite a bit about the trajectory the rest of the way, and with a win, the home game against the Crimson Tide is the only one remaining in which the Tigers are likely to be underdogs.

Hopes of a CFP berth remain alive as we near the midpoint of the 2024 season, and Kelly and LSU will look to finally get over that hump.

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Joel Klatt names Notre Dame as his top school in unique category

Klatt is spot on with his assessment

There is an argument to be made for which NCAA college football team has the best helmets, with Notre Dame’s all-gold one’s in clear contention.

While many might disagree with Fox Sports college football analysts [autotag]Joel Klatt[/autotag] occasionally outlandish takes, all of Irish Nation can agree that his view on who has the best helmets is the correct one.

When asked a few rapid fire questions, Klatt pondered over which team has the best head-gear. After putting some criteria down, like having to wear them on a regular basis, he came to the conclusion that Notre Dame’s gold accented helmets are the best in all of college football.

While the Irish didn’t get picked as best uniform, the Texas Longhorns all-whites did, while Klatt went with a homer pick of best mascot Ralphie, the live mascot of the Colorado Buffaloes. His favorite tradition was dotting the I of script Ohio at Ohio State, while Klatt’s best environment went to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Joel Klatt confirms what we suspected about Notre Dame and the CFP — Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

What are your favorite helmets, uniforms, mascots, traditions and environments of college football?

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Joel Klatt says surging Buffaloes are ‘changing the dynamic of the Big 12’

Joel Klatt likes what he’s seeing from the surging Buffaloes

Like the rest of us, Fox Sports college football analyst and former Colorado quarterback Joel Klatt was left impressed by Buffaloes’ dominant Week 5 win over the UCF Knights.

Klatt discussed the surging Buffs on a recent episode of his podcast, “The Joel Klatt Show,” and shared his opinion that head coach Deion Sanders’ squad put together a “complete” performance against UCF. Colorado’s defense shut down UCF’s potent rushing attack, its offense displayed a more balanced approach and kicker Alejandro Mata nailed two clutch field goals late in the first half.

Now at 2-0 in Big 12 play, the Buffs have become a legitimate threat to steal the wide-open conference.

“All of a sudden, we got a version of this Colorado Buffaloes team that we have never seen before,” Klatt said of CU’s 48-21 win. “The complete Colorado showed up and now all of a sudden, that is an incredible surprise in college football, and it’s changing the dynamic of the Big 12.”

Colorado can secure another statement Big 12 win on Oct. 12 against Kansas State.

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Georgia drops significantly in Joel Klatt’s top 10 rankings

Looking at where the Georgia Bulldogs land in Joel Klatt’s top 10 rankings after UGA lost to Alabama

Fox Sports college football expert Joel Klatt released his top 10 college football rankings after Week 5.

His top 10 includes five SEC schools, three Big Ten teams, and two ACC teams. As usual, the SEC and Big Ten look like the best Power Four conferences in the country.

With the 2024 season ending with an expanded College Football Playoff, there’s a chance that any of these teams could make the playoff, even if they don’t win their conference. That represents a huge sigh of relief for Georgia Bulldogs fans, who saw their team drop a heartbreaker against their nemesis the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Georgia still has a strong win over the Clemson Tigers, who are now in Klatt’s top 10. A few of Klatt’s top 10 teams had a bye in Week 5, like the Tennessee Volunteers.

Honorable Mentions: Iowa State Cyclones, Michigan Wolverines, Ole Miss Rebels, USC Trojans, Oklahoma Sooners

Here are Joel Klatt’s top 10 teams:

No. 10: Clemson Tigers

Record: 3-1 (+16.25 average point differential)

Result: Win vs. Stanford Cardinal 40-14

Tigers Wire

No. 9: Missouri Tigers

Record: 4-0 (+24.5 average point differential)

Result: Bye

No. 8: Miami Hurricanes

Record: 5-0 (+34.4 average point differential)

Result: Win vs. Virginia Tech Hokies

Hurricanes Wire

No. 7: Oregon Ducks

Record: 4-0 (+17.25 average point differential)

Result: Win vs. UCLA Bruins 34-13

Ducks Wire

No. 6: Penn State Nittany Lions

Record: 4-0 (+24.8 average point differential)

Result: Win vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 21-7

Nittany Lions Wire

No. 5: Georgia Bulldogs

Record: 3-1 (+17.5 average point differential)

Result: Loss at No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide 41-34

No. 4: Tennessee Volunteers

© BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Record: 4-0 (+47 average point differential)

Result: Bye

Volunteers Wire

No. 3: Ohio State Buckeyes

© Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Record: 4-0 (+42 average point differential)

Result: Win at Michigan State Spartans 38-7

Buckeyes Wire

No. 2: Texas Longhorns

© Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Record: 5-0 (+38 average point differential)

Result: Win vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs 35-13

Longhorns Wire

No. 1: Alabama Crimson Tide

Record: 4-0 (+32 point differential)

Result: Win vs. No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs 41-34

Crimson Tide Wire

Joel Klatt moves Oregon Ducks up in rankings after dominant win over UCLA

The Ducks are moving on up in Joel Klatt’s weekly rankings.

After a slow start to the season in which College Football Playoff expectations were put on hold, the Oregon Ducks are back on track.

A Saturday night blowout over the UCLA Bruins looked much better than the final score would suggest. While the Ducks won, 34-13, the defense allowed six points and 47 rushing yards, while a 96-yard pick six from Dillon Gabriel gave the Bruins a spark right before halftime.

Though much of the nation was asleep before the game came to a close, those who watched saw Oregon’s dominance. It looked like a playoff team.

Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt seems to agree. In his weekly top 10, Klatt moved the Ducks up, jumping them ahead of Ole Miss, which lost 20-17 to Kentucky, and Miami, which almost lost to Virginia Tech.

Here are Klatt’s latest rankings:

The Ducks have a Friday game against Michigan State this week. After that comes the showdown Oregon fans have been waiting for: the Ohio State Buckeyes come to town.

It’s likely to be a top-10 matchup and potentially a top-five matchup, provided both teams impress this week.

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Joel Klatt predicts winner of Georgia vs Alabama game

Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt predicts how the Georgia-Alabama game will unfold

Fox Sports college football expert Joel Klatt predicts that the Alabama Crimson Tide will beat Georgia Bulldogs in Week 5.

Klatt thinks that it is a big deal that Alabama’s offensive line has all five starters in the lineup after not having all five earlier in the season.

“On Georgia’s side, their defense is banged up a little bit,” said Klatt. “Mykel Williams hasn’t played since leaving the Clemson game. Now, he’s a potential top 10 pick.”

Georgia has several more injuries than Alabama. The Bulldogs are particularly banged up in the trenches.

Ultimately, Klatt predicted a 24-21 Alabama win.

Joel Klatt ranks his top 10 teams after Week 4

Joel Klatt’s top 10 includes five SEC teams, but he ranks Georgia football as the third-best SEC team

Fox Sports college football expert Joel Klatt released his top 10 college football rankings after Week 4.

His top 10 includes five SEC schools, three Big Ten teams, one ACC team, and one squad from the Big 12 to round it out. Once again, the SEC and Big Ten look like the best Power Four conferences in the country.

With the 2024 season ending with an expanded College Football Playoff, there’s a chance that all of these teams could make the playoffs, even if they don’t win their conference.

Klatt is low on both the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide ahead of Georgia’s Week 5 road trip to Tuscaloosa.

Honorable Mentions: Clemson Tigers, Michigan Wolverines, Missouri Tigers, USC Trojans, Oklahoma Sooners

Here are Joel Klatt’s top 10 teams:

No. 10: Utah Utes

Record: 4-0 (+20 average point differential)

Result: Win at No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys 22-19

No. 9: Oregon Ducks

Abigail Dollins/Statesman Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Image

Record: 3-0 (plus-16 average point differential)

Result: Bye

Ducks Wire

No. 8: Penn State Nittany Lions

© Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Record: 3-0 (+28.3 average point differential)

Result: Win vs. Kent State Golden Flashes 56-0

Nittany Lions Wire

No. 7: Ole Miss Rebels

Record: 4-0 (+49.5 average point differential)

Result: Win vs. Georgia Southern Eagles 52-13

No. 6: Alabama Crimson Tide

Record: 3-0 (+40.3 point differential)

Result: Bye

Crimson Tide Wire

No. 5: Georgia Bulldogs

Record: 3-0 (+25.7 average point differential)

Result: Bye

No. 4: Tennessee Volunteers

Record: 4-0 (+47 point differential)

Result: Win at No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners 25-15

Volunteers Wire

No. 3: Miami Hurricanes

Record: 4-0 (+42.0 average point differential)

Result: Win at South Florida Bulls 50-15

Hurricanes Wire

No. 2: Ohio State Buckeyes

© Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Record: 3-0 (+45.7 average point differential)

Result: Win vs. Marshall Thundering Herd 49-14

Buckeyes Wire

No. 1: Texas Longhorns

Record: 4-0 (+42 average point differential)

Result: Win vs. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks 51-3

Longhorns Wire

Ohio State football impressed Joel Klatt the most in this one area

Ohio State football was overall impressive against Marshall Saturday, but this one area stood out to a national FOX analyst.

Joel Klatt got a first-hand look at Ohio State football on Saturday, and the Buckeyes put it on Marshall.

The final score ended 49-14, and the Buckeyes took a 28-14 lead into the break into the half before holding the Thundering Heard scoreless in the final 30 minutes.

It was an impressive showing for Ohio State, and it caught the eye of Klatt, who broke down the Week 4 college football slate. Klatt spoke on the Buckeyes for several minutes during the “The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast” on Monday.

“On the field, what impressed me more than anything was the two running backs. Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson are elite players, and then the run game, you’re starting to see now Chip Kelly and this run game. You’re starting to see some schematics and run game styles that they just didn’t have before,” Klatt said.

While Marshall isn’t a top-tier opponent, Klatt was right in mentioning that it was the best defense Ohio State has played so far this season, although that’s not saying much.

The Buckeyes ran for over 250 yards. James Peoples went for 31, Judkins totaled 173 and Henderson ended with 76. Judkins and Henderson put up a combined four scores as well.

It was a dominant effort on the ground from Ohio State, and with Chip Kelly as the offense’s leader, there’s little doubt that they’ll turn away from the run game often this season.

Klatt was impressed by the two-headed monster, and so were those able to watch either at Ohio Stadium or on television. Expect a similar dominance as the Buckeyes march north to take on Michigan State Saturday.

Joel Klatt confirms what we suspected about Notre Dame and the College Football Playoff

Sigh

When Notre Dame football lost at home to Northern Illinois, its path to the [autotag]College Football Playoff [/autotag]grew much thinner.

After this weekend’s lackluster performance against Miami (Ohio) coupled with the Huskies overtime loss to Buffalo, the chances became much lower. We all assumed the Irish would have a small margin for error to make the playoff, and on Saturday evening, Joel Klatt confirmed what we all thought.

The Fox analyst believes Notre Dame will have to win out to make the field of 12 teams vying for a national championship. He was asked about the Irish’s outlook for the rest of the year and their chances to make the playoff.

It is the unfortunate reality for Notre Dame, which looked like a shoo-in for the playoff after its impressive road win at Texas A&M.

https://twitter.com/joelklatt/status/1837687807260962980

While the Irish can still make it, this weekend’s results made it much more difficult.

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