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USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ohio State football named in three of Joel Klatt's ten most impactful games of 2025
If you follow us here at Buckeyes Wire, you know we like to check in with Fox's Joel Klatt from time to time. We value his balanced insight, analytical mind, and sensible takes on college football. He doesn't just throw things out there as a company man for clicks, but rather, tries to be unbiased and insightful in his beliefs. We appreciate that in today's day and age, and we're sure you do too. Klatt recently named ten games that will shape the college football season, and contests defending College Football Playoff national champion Ohio State will be involved in are well represented. In fact, three of the ten games will have OSU participating, meaning the college football world might have its eyes fixed on the banks of the Olentangy much of the 2025 season. There are, of course, other games to keep an eye on with some ending up being more impactful than what we see from the Buckeyes, but there's no doubt some of the marquis and most notable tussles between behemoths on the gridiron this season will happen when Ohio State straps it up. There will be some teams and games that ultimately surprise throughout the calendar and end up being a major footnote to the season, but here's the ten most impactful game according to Klatt, with a lot of Scarlet and Gray flair. Week No. 1 - Texas at Ohio State | Aug. 30 It's a rematch of the classic College Football Semifinal in the Cotton Bowl last season and has two of the favorites to win the College Football Playoff in 2025. Both lost some key talent from last year's game, but the Arch Manning era begins in Austin, and Ohio State might have the best offensive and defensive players in the country with Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs. There's plenty of talent surrounding both for the Buckeyes to get back to the CFP and have a shot at defending their title. A win here would provide a huge early feather in the cap for one of the two teams, and Texas would like nothing more than to start the season with a win on the road in Columbus. Week No. 1 - LSU at Clemson | Aug. 30 Swinney's Clemson program has been slow to embrace NIL and other progressive changes in the sport, but it looks like he might have a team that has developed into one that can be a College Football Playoff contender again after making it there last season. LSU always has talent, and many think this game will be one where two Heisman contenders square off under center to plant a flag early on in the season when Clemson's Cade Klubnik and LSU's Grant Nussmeir do battle. Week No. 2 - Michigan at Oklahoma | Sept. 6 We're all still waiting to see what happens with Michigan this year after it finished the season on a high note with wins over Ohio State and Alabama, but either way, the intrigue between two giants of the sport is at least something to get everyone excited about. The winner here still has many things to prove, but it'll be a good step in the right direction for one of the two looking to get back to the Mountain top. Week No. 3 - Texas A&M at Notre Dame | Sept. 13 Why It Matters Is there another program in the country that gets less out of its talent than Texas A&M on a year-in, year-out basis? The Aggies will be trying to punch at their weight once again against a program that seems to get its collection of talent to come together more than almost any other. Head coach Marcus Freeman has Notre Dame on the rise, and a win here would set the table and narrative for both teams one way or another. Week No. 4 - Oregon at Penn State | Sept. 27 Oregon has supplanted itself as a program continually competing for league and College Football Playoff titles, yet it hasn't been able to break through on the biggest stage. Penn State has the history, tradition, and might just have the most experienced talent to finally break through this season. This game will not only shape the Big Ten but also have CFP implications as the chess pieces move about the board fairly early in the season. Week No. 5 - USC at Illinois | Sept. 27 Lincoln Riley was supposed to do special things in Los Angeles, but it has yet to come to fruition. The Trojans always have plenty of talent to play with, but defense has been a problem. Is this the year everything comes together? Illinois has had a resurgence under head coach Bret Bielema and is flying a bit under the radar coming into 2025. This game could fall flat with both teams not meeting expectations, or it could be one that produces a surprise run to a Big Ten title and beyond. Week No. 5 - Alabama at Georgia | Sept. 27 There seems to always be a lot on the line when these two play recently, and don't be surprised if that's the case again in a power-packed Week 5. Alabama might not be the Alabama Nick Saban ran out of the tunnel with, but there's still a lot of talent left over, and we all know what kind of skill is on the Georgia sidelines. This one may all come down to quarterback play, with the winner putting itself in a good position in the SEC race. Do well in the SEC, and we all know what that means in the national picture. Week No. 10 - Penn State at Ohio State | Nov. 1 By this time in the season, we'll know a lot more about the landscape of college football and where both of these annual Big Ten contenders stand. Either way, there's going to be a ton of talent on the field in Columbus. Penn State is getting a lot of notoriety for what it might be this year, but it'll have to go into Columbus and slay the defending national champions to get over the hump. It won't be easy, and by this time of the year, Ohio State might just have its act together on both sides of the ball to stamp itself a national title contender again. If things line up like we think they might, this might end up being the biggest of all regular season games in 2025. Week No. 11 - LSU at Alabama | Nov. 8 It's really hard to put your faith in LSU based on what we've seen under Brian Kelly, but this might be a chance to get that big-game monkey off his back. If Alabama can right the ship this year and have a typical Alabama season, and if LSU meets expectations to this point, this one could be for the SEC title -- and more. NFL scouts will be drooling over this one, and we all might join them late in the season. At the least, with the 12-team CFP, you have to think there will be something on the line between these two. Week No. 14 - Ohio State at Michigan | Nov. 29 We never have to build this one up -- definitely not on this site. You know the deal; despite winning the CFP national championship last season, Ohio State still lost to Michigan for a fourth-straight year, and the natives in Columbus won't stand for another one -- defending national champions or not. There's the whole sign-stealing accusations and bad blood surrounding this one, and the Buckeyes would love nothing more than to restore balance in the universe by taking back the Big Ten baton. There's hatred and a crumbling lack of respect between both programs, and there very well might be a spot in Indianapolis and CFP implications on the line. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
Fox Sports
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 College Football Playoff Odds: Which Teams Have Best Odds in New Format?
The 2025-26 College Football season kicks off in a little more than two months. Like last year, the College Football Playoff will feature a 12-team format. Seeds No. 1 through 4 will earn first-round byes, while Nos. 5 through 12 play each other in that first round. However, in 2025, the top four seeds in the 12-team field will be the top-four ranked teams instead of the four highest-ranked conference championship game winners. So with 12 spots up for grabs, bettors are diving into the odds for which teams they think will secure a berth and which ones will be on the outside looking in. Remember, this market is all about who gets in — not who wins it all. With that in mind, let's check out some of those odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 20. To Make the 2025-26 College Football Playoffs Ohio StateYes: -500 (bet $10 to win $12 total) No: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total) OregonYes: -300 (bet $10 to win $13.33 total) No: +220 (bet $10 to win $32 total) TexasYes: -350 (bet $10 to win $12.86 total) No: +250 (bet $10 to win $35 total) Penn StateYes: -300 (bet $10 to win $13.33 total) No: +220 (bet $10 to win $32 total) GeorgiaYes:-250 (bet $10 to win $14 total) No: +190 (bet $10 to win $29 total) AlabamaYes: -200 (bet $10 to win $15 total) No: +155 (bet $10 to win $25.50 total) ClemsonYes: -175 (bet $10 to win $15.71 total) No: +135 (bet $10 to win $23.50 total) Notre DameYes: -190 (bet $10 to win $15.26 total) No: +145 (bet $10 to win $24.50 total) Texas A&MYes: +190 (bet $10 to win $29 total) No: -250 (bet $10 to win $14 total) Boise StateYes: +190 (bet $10 to win $29 total) No: -250 (bet $10 to win $14 total) Kansas StateYes: +280 (bet $10 to win $38 total) No: -400 (bet $10 to win $12.50 total) TennesseeYes: +300 (bet $10 to win $40 total) No: -425 (bet $10 to win $12.35 total) BaylorYes: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total) No: -600 (bet $10 to win $11.67 total) Georgia TechYes: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total) No: -800 (bet $10 to win $11.25 total) BYUYes: +425 (bet $10 to win $52.50 total) No: -650 (bet $10 to win $11.54 total) USCYes: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total) No: -800 (bet $10 to win $11.25 total) TCUYes: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total) No: -1400 (bet $10 to win $10.71 total) Iowa StateYes: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total) No: -1400 (bet $10 to win $10.71 total) MissouriYes: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total) No: -1600 (bet $10 to win $10.63 total) NebraskaYes: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total) No: -1800 (bet $10 to win $10.56 total) WashingtonYes: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total) No: -1800 (bet $10 to win $10.56 total) Last season, the 12 teams that made the Playoff were Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, Arizona State, Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Indiana, SMU and Clemson. And as the committee moves forward in 2025 with changes regarding how it seeds, FOX Sports Lead College Football Analyst Joel Klatt noted that the "wonky" process needed to improve. "Boise State and Arizona State got first-round byes. Oregon, the only undefeated team entering the CFP, got a bum draw and had to play Ohio State in the quarterfinals," Klatt wrote. "That model wasn't great and penalized the top-seeded team rather than rewarding them. We want to avoid that." And for bettors looking for expert analysis on which teams will finish in the top 10 next season, Klatt's way-too-early projection includes Michigan, LSU, Miami Hurricanes, Clemson, Notre Dame, Oregon, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas and Penn State. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
College Football Analyst Reveals 'Must-Win' Game for Alabama in 2025
College Football Analyst Reveals 'Must-Win' Game for Alabama in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Alabama Crimson Tide went 9-3 last season, a passable record for most programs but not the paragon in the SEC. Alabama's nine wins last year marked the first time since 2007 — their first season under the tutelage of five-time SEC Coach of the Year Nick Saban — that they did not eclipse double-digit victories. Advertisement Much like the 2007 season, Alabama was under new management in 2024, hiring Kalen DeBoer away from the Washington Huskies to replace Saban. On Monday, college football insider Joel Klatt discussed DeBoer's standing in Tuscaloosa and among the fans during a segment of The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast. Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer and Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Klatt discussed ten college football coaches entering a pivotal 2025 campaign, but he started with DeBoer. He believes the fan base is trying to remain patient despite a brutal finish to the 2024 season, including losses to the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan Wolverines in two of their last three games. He called DeBoer's first year "underwhelming." given the expectations to win, and win big, at Alabama. Klatt also dissected the 2025 schedule, calling the game against the Georgia Bulldogs a "coin flip" and the early season bout against the Florida State Seminoles a surefire victory. Advertisement However, he Zeroed in on the Tennessee Volunteers game, where a loss could push fans to call for his job. "If you were just to lose to Tennessee — who does not have Nico Iamaleava — and now you're about to go play LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina Gamecocks) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU Tigers). I think South Carolina and LSU are both better teams than Tennessee. You still have to play Oklahoma. You still have the Iron Bowl." With a loss, Klatt assumes Alabama would need to win out the rest of the way to make the College Football Playoff, especially with the addition of a loss against Georgia. As proven last year with Alabama, nine wins in the regular season does not equate to a postseason berth despite playing in the SEC. "That Tennessee game at home, he's got to win that game. The pressure index for Kalen DeBoer, they are trying to be patient, but the patience would wear out real fast if they were to lose that game at home against Tennessee." Related: Alabama Projected to Have Multiple First Round Picks in 2026 NFL Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joel Klatt Reveals 'Must-Win' Game for Billy Napier and Florida
Joel Klatt Reveals 'Must-Win' Game for Billy Napier and Florida originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Last year, the Florida Gators found themselves in a precarious situation for a third straight year, eyeing a losing season towards the tail end of the schedule. Instead, Florida, under third-year head coach Billy Napier, won their final four games, including a blowout bowl victory over the Tulane Green Wave. Advertisement The mini-winning streak to end the year undoubtedly brought Napier goodwill among the fan base as he continues to try to return the Gators to their mid-2000s glory. However, Joel Klatt, a college football analyst for Fox Sports, believes Napier is still very much entering a make-or-break season in Gainesville. Florida head coach Billy Napier.© Brett Patzke-Imagn Images During The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast, the veteran college football analyst compared the Florida front man to another longtime head coach, saying, "Billy Napier is in the same exact category as Mike Norvell. 'We like you, but is this going to work?'" Klatt points towards Napier and Florida's strong finish to the season, with wins against the Ole Miss Rebels and LSU Tigers, as a reason for optimism. Napier also has a strong relationship with former five-star prospect and quarterback DJ Lagway. Advertisement However, the Gators will face a tough schedule in 2025, and Klatt points to their four-game stretch early in the season as a big moment for Napier. He calls for, at the very least, a split against the LSU Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, Texas Longhorns, and Texas A&M Aggies, with Miami being the most pivotal. "You have to prove you are not the third-tier team in the state of Florida," said Klatt. He continued to emphasize the importance of their game against Miami, saying, "The game at Miami is actually the one where the pressure gets ratcheted up. Again, tough four-game stretch. I think they need 2-2. If you don't beat Miami, which other two teams are you beating? Related: Florida Beats Out Three SEC Rivals For Elite OL Recruit This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Marcus Freeman speaks about Notre Dame with Joel Klatt
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman visits with Joel Klatt. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman will be the first guest on Joel Klatt's Big Noon Conversations show as it returns ahead of the 2025 season. The Fox show is available now on platforms such as YouTube and Spotify. Among the topics covered are Notre Dame's independence, the rivalry with USC and last year's march to the national championship game. We'll have another post today with thoughts and takeaways from what Freeman had to say. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle Follow Tim on X: @tehealey
