Joel Klatt unveils Top 10 preseason teams in college football

Week 0 is in the books, but there’s a full slate of college football games awaiting on Saturday. That’s when Week 1 officially arrives, meaning the rest of the teams get in on the action.

FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt has ranked his top 10 teams ahead of the big weekend, and he had some surprises in store.

“Here we go. Let’s get into it,” Klatt said on Breaking the Huddle Wednesday night. “Now as we’re really entering into the beginning of the college football season, these are the top 10 teams, as I see them going into the year. No. 1, I think, should be an obvious one to everybody.”

1. Georgia

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It’s not much of a surprise Georgia tops Klatt’s rankings. The two-time defending national champs came in at No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25, as well, as they seek to become the first team to three-peat since the Minnesota in the 1930s.

” I don’t understand why people wouldn’t put this team No. 1, and that’s Georgia,” Klatt said. “Georgia is the two time defending national champion. They are on an incredible run at this point. The only game that they’ve lost in the last two years was to a loaded Alabama team — that, by the way, had all their wide receivers that day. Georgia is a team that has to be beaten. Like, I’m not going to not put them No. 1 just because I think maybe somebody else might win in the SEC, which I actually don’t think is the case. Georgia is No. 1 and they deserve to be No. 1. Kirby Smart is building something that is very special. They’re trying to become the first team to three-peat since the ’30s all the way back when Minnesota did it. It hasn’t been done. Modern college football, what they’re doing has never been done, or at least what they’re trying to do. Teams have gotten close. Teams have gotten very close. But they will be trying for a three-peat here this year.”

2. Michigan

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Just like the AP poll, Klatt has Michigan at No. 2. The Wolverines’ offense looks to bring a high-powered attack once again this season with the two-headed monster of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards returning along with dual-threat quarterback J.J. McCarthy, which is why he’s so high on Jim Harbaugh’s group.

“No. 2, I’ve got Michigan,” Klatt said. “Now, I debated between three teams here: Michigan, Ohio State and Alabama. I landed on Michigan mostly because what they have returning on this roster suggests that it’s going to be Michigan’s best team under Jim Harbaugh. This is a team that has just won back to back Big Ten titles, they’ve been in the playoff each of the last two years and now they’re returning a very good deep offensive line that got some transfer help, as well. Both of their running backs in the backfield. Their quarterback is back. Their defense is loaded. This is going to be an excellent team. There’s no doubt about it. I really believe that this could be Jim Harbaugh’s best team in Ann Arbor.”

3. Ohio State

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Right behind Michigan is rival Ohio State. The Buckeyes also have plenty of talent on offense, but still have a question mark at quarterback even after Ryan Day named Kyle McCord the starter for the season opener against Indiana — making it really the only unknown in Klatt’s eyes.

“At No. 3, I’ve got the team that [Michigan has] beaten each of the last two years and that’s Ohio State,” Klatt said. “This Ohio State team basically has one question. One. And that is, can they replace CJ Stroud at quarterback? They are loaded everywhere on this team. CJ Stroud, he’s gone. He’s with the Texans now. Who’s the quarterback? We wait and see. But they have an amazing roster. They should be better running the football, they can throw it to Marvin Harrison Jr. and the defense has gotten much better, as well. In particular on the defensive line, which they need to get better on the defensive line.”

4. Alabama

Alabama is also dealing with a question mark at quarterback after Nick Saban opted not to release a depth chart. Still, Klatt has confidence in Saban because of his resume and the fact that no matter what happens this season, his GOAT status is undeniable.

“At No. 4, I’ve got Alabama,” Klatt said. “Nick Saban is still Nick Saban, folks. It’s not like they’re going anywhere. Nick Saban is the greatest college football coach in the history of the sport. Now, they also have quarterback questions. And I think that they actually have more questions than Ohio State at that position because they had to go get Tyler Buchner, a transfer out of the transfer portal, after spring ball. So Nick Saban is going to be trying to rebuild that offense with new offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees, and a new quarterback. Maybe it’s Jalen Milroe, maybe it’s Tyler Buchner. We don’t know. But it’s still Alabama. They still have recruited at the top end of the sport. That’s one of the best rosters in the sport. They’re No. 4.”

5. Penn State

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Rounding out Klatt’s top five is Penn State, which could be a sleeper in the Big Ten East this year. With Drew Allar expected to be named the starting quarterback, along with running back Nick Singleton and offensive lineman Olu Fashanu back in the fold, the Nittany Lions have plenty of talent to possibly play spoiler this year.

“At No. 5, I’ve got Penn State,” Klatt said. “How about that? Three Big Ten East teams there in the top five. I really like what Penn State has returning. I like Drew Allar, their young quarterback, I think he’s going to be a heck of a player. They’re good on the offensive line. Olu Fashanu could have been the first offensive tackle taken in last year’s draft. He came back. They’ve got both of their running backs back. They’ve got speed, length and athleticism on every level of their defense, including at pass rusher with Chop Robinson. I’m a big fan of Penn State. Their only losses were to Michigan or Ohio State a year ago. So this is the year. This is the year. Can they knock down that door of Michigan or Ohio State in the Big Ten East?”

6. Washington

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In another surprise, Klatt put Washington higher than any other Pac-12 team in his rankings. The Huskies have plenty of star power returning this year, including quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and wide receiver Rome Odunze who could help Kalen DeBoer’s group get over the hump and possibly into the Pac-12 title game.

“A bit of a surprise team, but I like Washington here at six,” Klatt said. “Washington has a great quarterback, Heisman dark hose in Michael Penix. Great core of wide receivers, led by Rome Odunze. And this is a team that I think could win the Pac-12. You look at their schedule, you look at what they have returning, you look their head coach Kalen DeBoer. That’s a really good football team. They were close last year to being in that Pac-12 championship game and potentially going to the Rose Bowl. And I think that they will have a great chance this year, as well.”

7. LSU

LSU came in at No. 7 in Klatt’s rankings after an impressive first season under Brian Kelly. The Tigers have plenty of key pieces returning, led by Jayden Daniels on offense and Harold Perkins on defense as they look to take another big leap.

“At No. 7, I’ve got LSU,” Klatt said. “LSU, second year now for Brian Kelly. Their quarterback is back. They loaded up in the transfer portal. They’ve got a great opening week matchup against Florida State. I believe they win that game. They’re No. 7. I really like LSU this year.”

8. USC

USC has already played a game this season, defeating San Jose State 56-28 in Week 0 thanks to big performances from Caleb Williams and Zachariah Branch. The Trojans’ defense still provides reason for concern, though, and Klatt said cleaning that up could help their chances of a College Football Playoff berth.

“No. 8, I’ve got USC,” Klatt said. “We’ve already seen them play. Hey, guess what? Offense, really good. Zachariah Branch, this true freshman. I think he’s the most explosive and exciting young player in college football. Watching him play was absolutely incredible. They still have Caleb Williams and Lincoln Riley, which means that even if you’re going to beat them, you’re gonna have to play incredible defense or you’re gonna have to outscore them, which it’s hard to do. Let’s just say it. It’s hard to do. Caleb Williams trying to become a back to back Heisman Trophy winner, the first since Archie Griffin. Can you do it? I’m not sure. I mean, in our society — and in particular in Heisman voting circles — Heisman voters typically love to hate the favorite. He’s certainly the favorite. But they’re going to put up some monster numbers. I’ve got questions about their defense. Even from what I saw against San Jose State, there were glimpses of something that was going to be better and improved. There were also glimpses of a defense that was too aggressive and ran themselves out of plays and gave up too many points because of that. So that’s a bit of a wait and see with USC.”

9. Clemson

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The ACC makes its presence at the end of Klatt’s rankings, starting with Clemson at No. 9. The Tigers made a big splash this offseason by bringing in Garrett Riley as offensive coordinator under Dabo Swinney, meaning Cade Klubnik and Will Shipley could be primed for a leap forward this year.

“At No. 9 and 10, I’m going both ACC here,” Klatt said. “I’m gonna go Clemson ahead of Florida State who’s going to be number 10. And they go together, kind of. Why because Well, I think Clemson is going to continue to own the ACC. They get Garrett Riley as their offensive coordinator. You pair him up with Cade Klubnik, their quarterback. You pair him up was Shipley, their running back. And that offense, which was the only question I had for Clemson coming into the season, is going to be much better. I can’t wait to see them play. I think that they’re going to be really good.”

10. Florida State

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Rounding out Klatt’s rankings is Florida State, which has a high-profile matchup to open the season this week. The Seminoles have a huge number of returners, none bigger than quarterback Jordan Travis and EDGE rusher Jared Verse that take them into Klatt’s top 10 — at least, for now.

“Florida State, I like the hype, I get it,” Klatt said. “I like Jordan Travis. They’re still not Clemson, to me. And so, that’s why they fall at No. 10. Really like them, but I don’t think they’re going to be Clemson. I don’t think they’re going to beat LSU and because of that, they fall to No. 10.”

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