The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast

College Football is just days away! FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt reacts to the news of quarterback battles being won around the country including Ohio State naming Julian Sayin their starting QB. He lays out what will be expected of Sayin when the Buckeyes take on Arch Manning and #1 Texas next week. He then makes his first game pick of the year by breaking down the Week Zero Top-25 matchup between #17 Kansas State and #22 Iowa State. Klatt discusses Michigan’s punishment from the NCAA following the sign-stealing saga from the National Championship season from 2023. He also explains the latest CFP format idea coming from the Big Ten that could feature 24 or 28 teams and walks through why that is being considered and what needs to happen next for there to be any change to the current CFP structure. Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/KLATT10Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount. 0:00-2:32 Intro2:33-10:59 QB battles across CFB11:00-19:20 Iowa State vs. Kansas State preview19:21-30:59 Michigan ruling sanction31:00-43:59 28-team CFP pitched by the Big Ten44:00-45:09 Joel Klatt live from Columbus next Thursday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt predicts who will make the College Football Playoff in 2025. He begins by making his Conference Championship Game predictions before unveiling his CFP Bracket. Klatt then predicts how each matchup will play out including his pick for this season’s National Champion. Will Ohio State go back-to-back? Is it finally Penn State’s time to rise to the top of the sport? Will Arch Manning lead Texas to their first National Championship in two decades or will another team be his surprise pick? Klatt also reveals the First Round matchup that he wants to see more than any other this upcoming season. He considers whether programs under immense pressure like Alabama and LSU will make the 12-team field and reveals a Preseason Top-10 team he thinks will miss out and be the first team on the outside looking in. Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/KLATT10Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount. 0:00-1:57 Intro1:58-5:51 Conference champ predictions5:52-7:13 Top 4 seeding7:14-16:41 5-12 seeding16:42-20:27 Quarterfinals20:28-23:48 Semifinals23:49-24:42 National championship game24:33-26:08 National championship winner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt makes his picks for the teams that could be this season’s Indiana, Arizona State or SMU and surprise everyone by making the College Football Playoff. Klatt lists candidates from the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12 and ACC and picks a team from each conference. In the Big Ten, he considers the cases for teams like Nebraska, USC and Washington to make a deep run this season. He details which SEC team he believes could take advantage of a favorable schedule to reach the CFP before making his pick out of a Big 12 Conference that has proven to be ripe for surprises. Klatt also explains why his ACC pick has a huge opportunity to gain momentum in Week 1 against a high-profile opponent. Klatt also recaps his Big Noon Conversation with the GOAT Tom Brady with some behind-the-scenes stories from their sit-down. 0:00-1:39 Intro1:40-4:39 Teams that can crash the 2025 cfp party4:40-12:28 Big ten cfp party crashers12:29-19:53 SEC cfp party crashers19:54-28:02 Big 12 party crashers28:03-34:29 ACC party crashers34:30-40:14 Reflecting on Tom Brady’s Big Noon Conversation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt sits down with FOX’s lead NFL analyst and the GOAT, Tom Brady. They dive into the world of college football and Brady lays out what he thinks today’s college experience is lacking and how the focus of today’s athletes is too often on the money in the sport rather than long-term development and growth. He then discusses how that is affecting QB’s when they enter the NFL. Brady also explains what Bill Belichick’s players at North Carolina are in for when they go play for the 6x Super Bowl-winning Coach. Brady reveals which QB in today’s NFL reminds him most of himself. Klatt and Brady then discuss Brady’s first year in the booth as FOX’s lead analyst on Sundays including some of the learning experiences he went through and why he is so excited and looking forward to Year 2 in the TV booth. Chapters 0:00-1:04 Intro1:05-4:27 Tom Brady on today’s college football landscape4:28-7:02 Would Tom Brady have finished his career at Michigan if he played in today’s landscape?7:03-9:15 Tom Brady on quarterback development in college football9:16-11:13 Tom Brady on Bill Belichick at UNC11:14-12:11 Which current NFL QB will be the next to win a Super Bowl ring?12:12-14:45 Which NFL QB is most like Tom Brady?14:46-16:38 How Tom Brady feels after one year in the broadcast booth16:39-18:10 Tom Brady on being the most prepared for calling the Super Bowl18:11-25:30 How Tom Brady’s work ethic translated to broadcasting25:31-27:36 What motivates Tom Brady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does Penn St need to win it all? How far does Alabama need to go this season in Year 2 post-Saban? FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt considers those questions and more as he defines what a successful season looks like for the most interesting teams in the sport. He discusses what Texas needs to do after two deep Playoff runs and Arch Manning now taking the snaps under center. He considers what Ohio State needs to do off their title-winning season and what Georgia must do to prove they are still one of the elite programs in the sport. Klatt also explains what Michigan’s expectations should be as they continue to build off last year’s strong finish, how far Texas Tech needs to go in the Big 12 to justify their offseason spending spree in the Transfer Portal and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt unveils his Preseason Top 25 for the upcoming season. He reveals who he has at #1 heading into the year as Texas, Ohio State and Penn State all contend for the top spot. Klatt explains why he is high on Michigan this season and who else from the Big Ten could make a push for a Playoff spot. He debates how to rank SEC teams like Georgia, LSU and Alabama against each other inside his Top 10. Klatt also makes the case for a Big 12 team to go from a losing record in 2024 to a spot in his Preseason Top 25 this season. RSVP for the Live show on Thursday, August 28th at the Browning Amphitheatre in Columbus ahead of the Texas-Ohio State matchup. The event is FREE but make sure to RSVP. The first 300 guests to RSVP receive 2 free drinks, food, and other perks: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joel-klatt-show-live-in-columbus-tickets-1554998204489?aff=oddtdtcreator Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/KLATT10Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount. 0:00–1:59 Intro 2:00–3:29 Utah 3:30–5:19 Oklahoma 5:20–6:39 Baylor 6:40–9:45 Iowa 9:46–11:29 Ole Miss 11:30–13:37 Iowa State 13:38–15:33 Texas Tech 15:34–17:34 Arizona State 17:35–19:49 Indiana 19:50–21:49 Texas A&M 21:50–23:59 Kansas State 24:00–25:59 Florida 26:00–27:29 Illinois 27:30–29:14 Miami 29:15–32:24 South Carolina 32:25–35:07 Michigan 35:08–37:26 Alabama 37:27–38:46 LSU 38:47–41:07 Georgia 41:08–43:54 Notre Dame 43:55–45:29 Oregon 45:30–47:41 Clemson 47:42–49:52 Ohio State 49:53–51:48 Texas 51:49–54:12 Penn State 54:13-56:27 Announcement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt ranks his Top 10 players in College Football going into the 2025 Season. Klatt reveals where Ohio State stars Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs land on the list and considers whether Texas’ Arch Manning deserves a spot in the Top 10 despite limited time on the field during his first 2 seasons in Austin. He reveals which Alabama teammates cracked the list as well as which team landed 3 players inside his Top 10. 0:00-1:18 Intro1:19-2:00 Klatt’s top 10 players for 2025 season2:01-3:57 Peter Woods3:58-4:55 Kadyn Proctor4:56-6:40 TJ Parker6:41-8:29 Anthony Hill8:30-11:06 Jeremiyah Love11:07-14:13 Ryan Williams14:14-18:13 Arch Manning18:14-19:56 Cade Klubnik19:57-21:49 Caleb Downs21:50-27:13 Jeremiah Smith Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/KLATT10Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt lists 5 teams he is buying for this upcoming season and 5 teams that he is selling for 2025. Klatt evaluates programs like Michigan, Clemson and Tennessee and gives his analysis on whether things are about to go up for the programs or now is the time to sell their stock before things go downward. He considers what to do with Utah, Washington and Wisconsin following down seasons a year ago as well as one of the biggest question marks heading into the season: North Carolina in Bill Belichick’s first season in charge. 0:00-1:40 Intro1:41-2:42 Who Klatt is buying and selling for 20252:43-4:42 Clemson Tigers4:43-7:08 Tennessee Volunteers7:09-11:02 Michigan Wolverines11:03-14:18 Wisconsin Badgers14:19-19:11 Utah Utes19:12-21:44 Syracuse Orange21:45-25:40 Washington Huskies25:41-27:45 BYU Cougars27:46-31:12 UNC Tar Heels31:13-33:25 Cal Bears Code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/KLATT10Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt dives into the mailbag to answer your questions! Klatt reminisces on some of the favorite performances he's ever called from the booth including fan favorites like Aidan Hutchinson, Travis Hunter, Baker Mayfield and more. Klatt also answers why playing at home is such an advantage and explains the purpose of college GMs in the athletic department. Lastly, Klatt addresses a fan's disappointment in Lincoln Riley's last few seasons at USC and shares why he's optimistic in Riley's ability to turn things around. 0:00-1:46 Intro1:47-15:30 Best performances in a game Klatt has called15:31-24:21 Why is homefield advantage so important?24:22-30:06 Where do GM’s fit in college athletic departments?30:07-33:47 Could Lincoln Riley find himself on the hot seat if this season doesn’t go well?33:48-38:00 What have you learned about yourself since becoming a father? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After last season’s expanded Playoff saw 6 teams make their first College Football Playoff appearance, FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt ranks the 10 teams most likely to make their first CFP appearance in this upcoming season – including a surprise team at #1. He evaluates which teams have the pieces to get through difficult schedules in the SEC like Florida and South Carolina. He also makes the case why this could be the year for Lincoln Riley and USC to make a breakthrough after a couple up-and-down seasons. Klatt also includes a Nebraska team returning their QB and looking to make a jump in Year 3 under Matt Rhule. 0:00-1:40 Intro1:41-2:52 Which teams are most likely to make their first CFP appearance in 2025?2:53-6:33 Nebraska Cornhuskers6:34-9:16 Florida Gators9:17-11:49 Kansas State Wildcats11:50-15:20 USC Trojans15:21-18:27 Missouri Tigers18:28-21:26 Iowa Hawkeyes21:27-23:55 Miami Hurricanes23:56-26:39 South Carolina Gamecocks26:40-29:59 Ole Miss Rebels30:00-34:11 Illinois Fighting Ilini Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt sits down with the Commissioner of the Big Ten, Tony Petitti, to discuss what he would like the College Football Playoff to look like in the future and where things stand as the Power Conferences try to reach an agreement on a new format. Petitti states what he believes the new format should try to accomplish for the sport and lays out why the Big Ten is in favor of a 16-team format with 4 Automatic Qualifiers for both the Big Ten and the SEC. He also gives his opinion of the “5+11” model put forward by the SEC and whether it is a format that the Big Ten would consider. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt reveals 10 games that he believes will shape the 2025 season. From a potential #1 vs #2 matchup between Ohio State and Texas in Columbus to kick off the season to games that could propel unexpected teams to the Playoff, Klatt looks at where the most impactful results will come from in the upcoming season. He explains why LSU’s trip to Clemson and Michigan’s game at Oklahoma could set the trajectories for those programs and impact the Playoff discussions later in the year. Klatt explains where Penn State can show the country they are ready to take the next step towards a National Championship. The second season in the Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama will be defined by winning or losing certain games on their schedule, Klatt explains which particular results will have a significant ripple effect through the rest of the SEC. And of course, “The Game” between Ohio State and Michigan will have huge ramifications as the Wolverines look to beat the Buckeyes for a 5th straight season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt sits down with Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman to discuss the Fighting Irish’s run to the National Championship Game and how the program builds on that success. They talk about Notre Dame’s independence in the sport and whether that is something that will always make sense in the future with the changing landscape in college football. The two also get into the nature of scheduling in the sport and why Freeman wants the USC rivalry to continue on a yearly basis. Coach opens up about what he’s learned in his first 3 full seasons as the leader of one of the most prestigious programs in the country and much more in the first episode of Big Noon Conversations in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt looks at 10 Head Coaches and breaks down how much pressure each is under heading into the upcoming season. He also points out which games in the schedule the temperature could really ratchet up on them. He discusses coaches with big expectations like Penn State’s James Franklin and LSU’s Brian Kelly as well as HC’s like USC’s Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma’s Brent Venables who are trying to convince their fanbases that they are the right coaches for the jobs. What level of pressure is Kalen DeBoer under to perform in Year 2 at Alabama? How has Nico Iamaleava’s departure affected the need for a big season for Josh Heupel at Tennessee? How comfortable are Billy Napier and Mike Norvell in the battle with Miami for supremacy in the state of Florida? It’s been an eventful start at North Carolina for Bill Belichick – has he brought pressure on himself to perform in Year 1? Klatt also discusses the situation Luke Fickell finds himself in at Wisconsin as he tries to bring the Badgers back to the top half of the Big Ten while staring at one of the toughest schedules in the country. 0:00-1:45 Intro1:46-3:04 Klatt’s coaching pressure index3:05-6:52 Kalen DeBoer6:53-10:16 James Franklin10:17-13:49 Lincoln Riley13:50-17:35 Brent Venables17:36-21:04 Brian Kelly21:05-25:07 Josh Heupel25:08-27:43 Bill Belichick27:44-30:06 Mike Norvell30:07-31:56 Billy Napier31:57-37:17 Luke Fickell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt reacts to the growing interest in a 5+11 College Football Playoff model. Klatt reacts to Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark voicing his support for the model and analyzes if this model is even good for the Big 12 or the sport overall. Klatt presents an alternative playoff option that gives the Big 12 and ACC a chance to battle each other for a 3rd CFP spot. Lastly, Klatt lists what he thinks should be the objectives of the College Football Playoff and debates whether the proposed 5+11 model meets his criteria. 0:00-1:49 Intro1:50-5:29 What will the future college football playoff format look like?5:30-7:37 Does the 5+11 CFP format make more sense for the sport?7:38-12:04 What are the disadvantages of the 5+11 CFP format?12:05-15:17 Surprised the Big 12 is In favor of the 5+11 CFP format?15:18-18:09 Should Big 12 and ACC consider a model with “2.5” automatic qualifiers for those 2 conferences?18:10-24:47 Klatt’s Objectives for the CFP24:48-26:52 Should Big 12 and ACC consider a model with “2.5” automatic qualifiers for those 2 conferences? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt reacts to the news that the College Football Playoff is changing the seeding model for the upcoming season. He lays out the advantages and disadvantages of the change. He then discusses the growing momentum behind a 16-team Playoff model for 2026 and beyond. Klatt explains what options are on the table and how it would all look in the proposed structure before weighing in with his opinion on whether it’s the right way for the sport to move forward. 0:00-1:40 intro1:41-5:17 CFP moving to straight seeding model for 2025 season5:18-8:13 What the new seeding model means for the playoff in 20258:14-12:12 Will the CFP move to a 16-team format in 2026?12:13-17:50 What are the options for a 16-team playoff format?17:51-19:20 16-team CFP format example19:21-21:16 Top 2 seeds receive byes into quarterfinals21:17-33:04 Is a 16-team format the best model for the CFP? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt ranks his Top 10 Quarterbacks heading into the 2025 season. He explains his rankings when evaluating up-and-coming QBs like Texas’ Arch Manning and Florida’s D.J. Lagway against experienced veterans like Penn State’s Drew Allar and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik. Klatt also reveals two transfer Quarterbacks in his Top 10 that will both be trying to follow Cam Ward’s blueprint from a year ago. He explains why he has some reservations about one player while the other got the nod inside his Top 5. 0:00-1:23 Intro1:24-2:07 Top 10 qbs2:08-4:28 Carson Beck4:29-6:31 Luke Altmyer6:32-7:50 LaNorris Sellers7:51-9:07 DJ Lagway9:08-10:17 Garrett Nussmeier10:18-14:19 Drew Allar14:20-16:11 Sam Leavitt16:12-19:38 John Mateer19:39-24:05 Arch Manning24:06-28:24 Cade Klubnik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt reacts to the news that Michigan is going to self-impose a 2-game suspension on Head Coach Sherrone Moore for deleting text messages with Connor Stallions. He discusses whether that penalty and whether the Wolverines should still expect further punishment from the NCAA. He also applauds the news of Notre Dame and Clemson announcing a long-term scheduling agreement while pointing out the motivations for the move. He also lists rivalry games that are no longer played on an annual basis that need to be brought back on the schedule every single season. Klatt also considers the pros and cons of individual schools controlling their own schedule every season before proposing a model that can ensure an equal playing field while also providing fans the best games possible. 0:00-1:42 Intro1:43-11:03 Sherrone Moore Suspension11:04-13:17 Michigan President Santa Ono’s move to Florida13:18- 17:22 Joel Klatt’s thoughts on Clemson & Notre Dame scheduling agreement17:23 - 20:48 Top 5 Non-Conference games that should be scheduled every year20:49 - 22:53 How can the Non-Conference schedule be better?22:54-24:04 Should the SEC move to a 9 Conference game schedule?24:05 - 28:14 Joel’s dream CFB schedule28:15-31:15 Presidential Commission w/ Co-Chair Nick Saban Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Spring Practice and the Transfer Portal window now in the past, Fox Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt ranks his Post-Spring Top 25 for the upcoming season. He reveals his #1 team and breaks down how he made his choice out of teams like the defending National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes, an Arch Manning-led Texas Longhorns team and a Penn State squad returning loads of talent on both sides of the ball. He explains how he separated SEC teams like Alabama, Georgia and LSU and includes a surprise pick in his Top 10 that he feels could be this season’s Indiana on the way to a Playoff run. Klatt explains why he has confidence in Michigan this season despite the high-end talent that they lost off of last year’s roster. He also finds a place for Oklahoma in his Top 25 after the Sooners made some offseason additions that will instantly improve Brent Venables’ group. Chapters: 0:00-1:10 Intro1:11-2:33 Joel Klatt’s way too early top 252:34-4:08 Oklahoma Sooners4:09-5:14 Baylor Bears5:15-8:11 Iowa Hawkeyes8:12-9:00 Auburn Tigers9:01-10:33 Indiana Hoosiers10:34-11:20 Ole Miss Rebels11:21-13:06 Texas A&M Aggies13:07-14:49 Miami Hurricanes14:50-16:14 Iowa State Cyclones16:15-16:59 Kansas State Wildcats17:00-19:02 Arizona State Sun Devils19:03-20:14 BYU Cougars20:15-21:34 Florida Gators21:35-24:12 Michigan Wolverines24:13-25:18 South Carolina Gamecocks25:19-27:07 Illinois Fighting Illini27:08-28:56 Alabama Crimson Tide28:57-31:28 Georgia Bulldogs31:29-33:40 LSU Tigers33:41-36:22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish36:23-39:13 Clemson Tigers39:14-41:07 Oregon Ducks41:08-43:18 Ohio State Buckeyes43:19-45:10 Texas Longhorns45:11-51:18 Penn State Nittany Lions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt dives into Shedeur Sanders’ slide all the way to the 5th round of the NFL Draft, explaining why it happened to a player many believed would be selected in the Top 10. Klatt shares feedback he heard from people within the league and explains how things went from bad to worse as the picks continued to roll off the board (and why Shedeur landed in the perfect spot to prove people wrong). He also lists which teams were the biggest winners from the Draft before unveiling his Way-Too-Early Top 10 Prospects for next year’s Draft. Klatt wraps up the show by discussing the recent news around Madden Iamaleava - younger brother of Nico - as an NIL collective attempts to reclaim money paid out to him before he decided to transfer from Arkansas. He also points out why Tennessee can't have it both ways with how they've handled the Nico situation. 0:00-2:19 Intro2:20-5:34 Klatt’s 2025 NFL draft recap5:35-18:14 Why did Shedeur Sanders slide to the fifth round?18:15-21:10 Are the Browns the best landing spot for Shedeur Sanders?21:11-25:22 Klatt’s winners from the NFL Draft25:23-29:08 Klatt’s favorite moments from the NFL Draft29:09-34:31Klatt’s way too early top 10 for the 2026 Draft34:32-36:59 Arkansas NIL collective seeking to enforce buyout clause after Madden Iamaleava’s transfer to UCLA37:00-44:10 Tennessee reportedly reached out to several QBs after Iamaleava’s transfer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices