NCAAF · 1 hour ago

Joel Klatt Predicts the 12-Team College Football Playoff & National Champion

Grant White

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CFP National Championship: #2 Notre Dame Over #1 Oregon
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team Profile
- Head Coach: Marcus Freeman (4th Season)
- 2025 Record: 10-2
- 2025 Finish: Did Not Make College Football Playoff
Oregon Ducks Team Profile
- Head Coach: Dan Lanning (5th Season)
- 2025 Record: 13–2 (8-1)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Semifinals
Marcus Freeman's side doesn't need any additional motivation, but going into the CFP as the second-ranked team would only add more gas to the fire. In a battle of presumed undefeated teams, Klatt has Notre Dame out in front.

Even with Dante Moore calling the shots, Oregon's offense would have a hard time penetrating Notre Dame's defensive front. Moreover, the Irish's balanced attack would control the clock and force the Ducks to play at a deficit.

In another tactical masterpiece, we agree with Klatt's assumption that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are the best bet for this year's National Championship.
CFP First-Round: #5 Ohio State Over #12 Boise State
Ohio State Buckeyes Team Profile
- Head Coach: Ryan Day (8th Season)
- 2025 Record: 12-2 (9-0)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
Boise State Team Profile
- Head Coach: Spencer Danielson (3rd Season)
- 2025 Record: 9-5 (6-2)
- 2025 Finish: 4th in the Mountain West
Ohio State's inclusion in this year's college football playoff can be taken for granted. The Buckeyes have cemented their position as one of the top programs in the nation, and their on-field results show that year after year.

However, there is no consensus on which Group of 6 team will sneak into what is presumably the final spot. Joel Klatt has Boise State as the 12 seed. The Broncos may be "the best of the rest," but they are no match for Ohio State.
CFP First-Round: #9 USC Over #8 Texas Tech
USC Trojans Team Profile
- Head Coach: Lincoln Riley (4th Season)
- 2025 Record: 9-4 (7-2)
- 2025 Finish: 4th in the Big Ten
Texas Tech Red Raiders Team Profile
- Head Coach: Joey McGuire (4th Season)
- 2025 Record: 12-2 (8-1)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
Joel Klatt echoes our overarching confidence in Texas Tech. Still, we don't have the Red Raiders sitting as high as eighth at the start of the playoffs. We're not sure what the more unexpected prediction is -- USC making the playoffs or the Trojans stunning Texas Tech in the CFP First-Round.

USC is looking to recapture its former glory. Sneaking into the CFP Quarterfinals could be classified as a monumental overachievement.
CFP First-Round: #6 Indiana Over #11 Alabama
Indiana Hoosiers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Curt Cignetti (3rd Season)
- 2025 Record: 16-0
- 2025 Finish: College Football Playoff National Champions
Alabama Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kalen DeBoer (3rd Season)
- 2025 Record: 11-4 (7-1)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
Losing is never an option in Alabama, so Joel Klatt having Bama in the playoffs is exactly the type of prediction that sits well with the Crimson Tide faithful. Less so, Klatt has Bama losing to the defending National Champion Indiana Hoosiers, again.

Things haven't gone exceptionally under Kalen DeBoer. A first-round playoff exit could be the disappointment that costs him his job.
CFP First-Round: #7 Georgia Over #10 LSU
Georgia Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kirby Smart (11th Season)
- 2025 Record: 12-2 (7-1)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
LSU Tigers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Lane Kiffin (1st Season)
- 2025 Record: 7-6 (3-5)
- 2025 Finish: 10th in the SEC
Klatt is seemingly low on the Georgia Bulldogs. Sitting with the fourth-shortest odds to win this year's National Championship, the Bulldogs are the presumptive seven seed in Klatt's preseason rankings.

Continuity will be a strength for Georgia this year, as they feature many of the same key players from last season's playoff team. A first-round bye seems more probable, but the Bulldogs can expect a quarterfinals appearance for the third straight year.
CFP Quarterfinals: #5 Ohio State Over #4 Texas
Ohio State Buckeyes Team Profile
- Head Coach: Ryan Day (8th Season)
- 2025 Record: 12-2 (9-0)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
Texas Longhorns Team Profile
- Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian (6th Season)
- 2025 Record: 10–3 (6-2)
- 2025 Finish: 5th in the SEC
Texas is coming off an underwhelming campaign, in which they finished outside of the CFP and Arch Manning failed to live up to his Heisman-level billing. A first-round bye atones for some of those missteps, but only if Texas makes the most of its advantage.

Unfortunately, Klatt has the Longhorns losing out to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the CFP Quarterfinals. If this comes to fruition, it will be a matter of Ryan Day outcoaching Steve Sarkisian.
CFP Quarterfinals: #1 Oregon Over #9 USC
Oregon Ducks Team Profile
- Head Coach: Dan Lanning (5th Season)
- 2025 Record: 13–2 (8-1)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Semifinals
USC Trojans Team Profile
- Head Coach: Lincoln Riley (4th Season)
- 2025 Record: 9-4 (7-2)
- 2025 Finish: 4th in the Big Ten
A throwback Pac-12 rivalry clash is exactly what the College Football Playoffs need. Klatt as the Oregon Ducks listed as the top-ranked team in the country, and we expect them to assert their dominance with a deep playoff run.

As much love is lauded on the Ducks, Oregon doesn't get enough credit for its elite defense. That would be a marked difference, with the Oregon dispatching the Trojans in the quarterfinals.
CFP Quarterfinals: #3 Miami Over #6 Indiana
Miami Hurricanes Team Profile
- Head Coach: Mario Cristobal (5th Season)
- 2025 Record: 16–0 (9-0)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff National Championship
Indiana Hoosiers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Curt Cignetti (3rd Season)
- 2025 Record: 16-0
- 2025 Finish: College Football Playoff National Champions
A rematch of last season's National Championship Game is the majesty all college football fans are rooting for. Miami came up short versus Indiana, but Klatt predicts a different outcome in this hypothetical quarterfinal game.

Both teams lost some of their championship pedigree this offseason, using the transfer portal to reload instead of rebuild. Still, Indiana's losses are greater, and the Hurricanes should punch their way into the semifinals.
CFP Quarterfinals: #2 Notre Dame Over #7 Georgia
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team Profile
- Head Coach: Marcus Freeman (4th Season)
- 2025 Record: 10-2
- 2025 Finish: Did Not Make College Football Playoff
Georgia Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kirby Smart (11th Season)
- 2025 Record: 12-2 (7-1)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
Notre Dame was dealt an unexpected blow at the conclusion of last season, falling short of the CFP. In retaliation, the Fighting Irish refused a bowl game invitation, and they will be out for blood in 2026.

Marcus Freeman has built one of the most sustainable programs in the country. With every other team turning to the transfer portal, Freeman has developed a seemingly never-ending talent stream at Notre Dame.

This could very well be a National Championship matchup, but Klatt has the Irish prevailing in the quarterfinals.
CFP Semifinals: #1 Oregon Over #5 Ohio State
Oregon Ducks Team Profile
- Head Coach: Dan Lanning (5th Season)
- 2025 Record: 13–2 (8-1)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Semifinals
Ohio State Buckeyes Team Profile
- Head Coach: Ryan Day (8th Season)
- 2025 Record: 12-2 (9-0)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
Oregon versus Ohio State is quickly developing into one of the premier Big Ten rivalries. Both programs are always at the forefront of championship contention, and neither is willing to cede any ground. In this semifinal matchup, Klatt predicts the top-ranked Ducks dispatch the Buckeyes.

Both teams are adaptable, but Oregon's depth and experience could be a deciding factor in this clash of titans.
CFP Semifinals: #2 Notre Dame Over #3 Miami
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team Profile
- Head Coach: Marcus Freeman (4th Season)
- 2025 Record: 10-2
- 2025 Finish: Did Not Make College Football Playoff
Miami Hurricanes Team Profile
- Head Coach: Mario Cristobal (5th Season)
- 2025 Record: 16–0 (9-0)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff National Championship
According to Klatt, the Hurricanes will suffer another unceremonious conclusion to their 2026 season.

While Miami has all the tools to succeed again, it will once again be outmatched by a superior program. Notre Dame's defense will be one of the most terrifying units in the country. With plenty of firepower offensively, we expect the Irish to win and comfortably cover the number.
CFP National Championship: #2 Notre Dame Over #1 Oregon
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team Profile
- Head Coach: Marcus Freeman (4th Season)
- 2025 Record: 10-2
- 2025 Finish: Did Not Make College Football Playoff
Oregon Ducks Team Profile
- Head Coach: Dan Lanning (5th Season)
- 2025 Record: 13–2 (8-1)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Semifinals
Marcus Freeman's side doesn't need any additional motivation, but going into the CFP as the second-ranked team would only add more gas to the fire. In a battle of presumed undefeated teams, Klatt has Notre Dame out in front.

Even with Dante Moore calling the shots, Oregon's offense would have a hard time penetrating Notre Dame's defensive front. Moreover, the Irish's balanced attack would control the clock and force the Ducks to play at a deficit.

In another tactical masterpiece, we agree with Klatt's assumption that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are the best bet for this year's National Championship.
CFP First-Round: #5 Ohio State Over #12 Boise State
Ohio State Buckeyes Team Profile
- Head Coach: Ryan Day (8th Season)
- 2025 Record: 12-2 (9-0)
- 2025 Finish: Lost in College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
Boise State Team Profile
- Head Coach: Spencer Danielson (3rd Season)
- 2025 Record: 9-5 (6-2)
- 2025 Finish: 4th in the Mountain West
Ohio State's inclusion in this year's college football playoff can be taken for granted. The Buckeyes have cemented their position as one of the top programs in the nation, and their on-field results show that year after year.

However, there is no consensus on which Group of 6 team will sneak into what is presumably the final spot. Joel Klatt has Boise State as the 12 seed. The Broncos may be "the best of the rest," but they are no match for Ohio State.

Sep 9 8:20 PM

SpreadMoneyTotal

NE

+3.5

+166

O 44.5

SEA

-3.5

-198

U 44.5

Sep 10 8:35 PM

SpreadMoneyTotal

SF

+3.5

+166

O 48.5

LAR

-3.5

-198

U 48.5

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