The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast

The discussion heats up as one analyst dives into college football team stocks for the upcoming season. Michigan's strong defense raises hopes, while Tennessee faces tough challenges. Evaluations of Clemson's robust roster and Wisconsin's daunting schedule show contrasting futures. The potential resurgence of Utah and the unpredictability of North Carolina take center stage. Insights on various programs, including Syracuse, Washington, and BYU, lead to thrilling predictions that set the tone for an exciting season ahead.

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

The discussion revolves around which teams might make their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2025. Surprising contenders like Nebraska, Florida, and Kansas State are evaluated for their potential. Lincoln Riley’s USC looks ready for a breakthrough after mixed seasons. The podcast highlights Missouri's strong SEC prospects and Iowa's aspirations with a new quarterback. Additionally, Miami, South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Illinois are analyzed for their playoff potential, promising an exciting future for college football.

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

The pressure on college football head coaches is palpable this season. Kalen DeBoer is feeling the heat in Year 2 at Alabama, while James Franklin and LSU’s Brian Kelly grapple with lofty expectations. Lincoln Riley and Brent Venables are on the brink, with crucial early games shaping their futures. Josh Heupel's situation at Tennessee grows tense following Nico Iamaleava’s exit. In Florida, Billy Napier and Mike Norvell fight to assert dominance. Bill Belichick's debut at North Carolina adds another layer of intrigue to the high-stakes coaching landscape.

The growing interest in a 5+11 college football playoff model sparks lively debate. Klatt scrutinizes its implications for the Big 12 and the sport as a whole. He questions whether the model truly serves fan interests and fairness. An alternative playoff proposal introduces intriguing automatic qualifiers for the Big 12 and ACC. Klatt outlines essential criteria for a successful playoff system, pushing for more equitable representation. The discussion raises compelling questions about the future landscape of college football.

The College Football Playoff is undergoing a significant seeding model change for the upcoming season. The discussion highlights both the pros and cons of this shift. There's buzz around a potential 16-team playoff model for 2026, with various options on the table. Considerations for fairness and the impact on conference championships are examined. Klatt shares his thoughts on whether this expansion is the future of college football, making for an engaging debate on the sport's direction.

The discussion ranks the top 10 quarterbacks for the upcoming college football season, featuring both established players and exciting newcomers. Arch Manning and D.J. Lagway are highlighted alongside veterans like Drew Allar. Insights into two transfer quarterbacks and their potential to shine add intrigue. Klatt shares reservations about one player while praising another's athletic skills. The analysis covers individual performances, coaching impacts, and the overall evolution of college football, promising an electrifying season ahead.