Joel Klatt’s CFP Bracket Prediction + Ohio St-Penn St, Oregon-Michigan & more Week 10 Picks
Oct 31, 2024
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Dive into the excitement of college football as the lead analyst breaks down key matchups, including the high-stakes showdown between Ohio State and Penn State. He also analyzes the clash of titans in the Big House with Oregon facing Michigan. Attention turns to the SEC, spotlighting Florida vs. Georgia, where underdog alert is sounded. A pivotal ACC matchup featuring Pitt and SMU adds to the mix. Finally, get predictions on the College Football Playoff bracket as November looms, reflecting on team performances and their postseason viability.
40:37
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Quick takeaways
The College Football Playoff expansion is enhancing fan engagement and interest, marking what may be a golden age for the sport.
The upcoming matchup between Ohio State and Penn State is crucial for both teams' coaches, each facing intense pressure to win big games.
Deep dives
The Dawn of a Golden Age in College Football
This season marks an unprecedented peak of interest in college football, suggesting a possible golden age for the sport. The expansion of the playoff system is highlighted as a positive change, increasing fan engagement and excitement surrounding the game. With the narrative shifting from criticism to celebration, the sport seems to be flourishing with record viewership numbers and compelling matchups. As the focus shifts to competitive games, the current season exemplifies how thrilling college football can be, as teams fight for playoff positioning.
High-Stakes Matchup: Ohio State vs. Penn State
The upcoming game between Ohio State and Penn State is crucial for both coaches, James Franklin and Ryan Day, who face significant pressure to win. Each team is in a top-five position but has struggled in similar high-stakes matchups in the past, challenging the narrative that they can't win big games. The uncertainty around the starting quarterback for Penn State adds another layer of complexity, as Drew Aller’s injury raises questions about whether Bo Perbula will provide the spark needed against Ohio State. Both teams’ performances hang in the balance as they navigate their respective pressures and expectations.
Assessing Ohio State’s Offensive Line Challenges
The instability of Ohio State's offensive line is a pressing concern, especially following injuries that have impacted their performance in recent games. The struggles in protecting the quarterback and establishing a running game have been evident, raising doubts about their effectiveness against Penn State's defensive front. This performance issue, compounded by the need for a strong offensive scheme, places additional pressure on the team as they face an aggressive opponent. As the season progresses, finding a solution to these offensive line challenges becomes increasingly critical for Ohio State's success.
Oregon's Rising Dominance and Michigan's Uncertainty
Oregon has emerged as one of the top teams in college football, demonstrating consistent improvement and solid team cohesion, making them a formidable force. Meanwhile, Michigan grapples with instability at the quarterback position and a struggling offense that has not lived up to expectations this season. The contrast between Oregon’s upward trajectory and Michigan’s challenges will be pivotal as they prepare to face each other, with Oregon currently favored to win. The efficiency and effectiveness of both teams will play a significant role in determining their standings in the playoff race.
FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt makes his picks for the biggest games of the weekend before making his latest College Football Playoff bracket prediction as we head into November football. Klatt begins by breaking down the FOX Big Noon Saturday Top-5 matchup between Ohio State and Penn State. Klatt then makes his picks for two other Big Ten matchups as #1 Oregon travels to the Big House to face a Michigan team looking to turn their season around and 8-0 Indiana’s trip to Michigan State. He also makes picks in the SEC games of the week between #2 Georgia and Florida and #10 Texas A&M at South Carolina – and lays out why one of those favorites needs to be on upset alert. He also hits on the Top-20 ACC clash between unbeaten Pitt and #20 SMU. Then, Klatt predicts what the College Football Playoff Bracket will look like at the end of the season, breaking down how he sees the rest of the regular season unfolding.