Joel Klatt names Top 10 teams to make first 12-team College Football Playoff

Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt named the Top 10 teams in college football that are the likeliest to make their first 12-team College Football Playoff. These squads could certainly shake up the bracket. Klatt made it clear, these teams have never played in the 12-team playoff. Sure, some have made the CFP before, but not in its current format. $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage So without further ado, let’s dive into Klatt’s 10 teams that could finally make the bracket. We’ll go from 10 all the way to No. 1. 10. Iowa Klatt: “One of those middle of the road right now Big Ten programs that have had a lot of success under Kirk Ferentz, and now looking for the opportunity to level up. So what does it take to level up? Obviously, you have to improve from a roster standpoint, and that’s a question whether they’re going to be able to do this or not. But it’s also hitting the right schedule.” Iowa is always solid but it’s about getting over the hump when it comes to that 10-win mark. They are capable of doing so, but it’ll come down to the QB play, as usual. 9. Washington Klatt: “When I looked at Washington last year, I really liked them. I really liked their schedule. I like what Jedd Fisch builds. He builds good quality programs. We know that they’ve got their quarterback Demond Williams back. He’s got four returning starters on the offensive line. I think the big key for Demond Williams is going to be playing better in big games.” Williams is the key for Washington this year. If they can manage their schedule as well, perhaps the Huskies sneak in on the backend of the CFP. 8. Houston Klatt: “Houston is a team, they’re coming off a 10-win season and finishing in the top 25 under Willie Fritz. And Willie Fritz is a really good football coach. I think that we know that they bring back their quarterback Conner Weigman. He’s got an All Big 12 wide receiver Amare Thomas on the outside. They added Makai Hughes (at RB as well).” Weigman really improved last season and showed why he was once a highly touted recruit. The offense should be electric for Houston, giving Fritz a chance to win the Big 12 and get into the CFP. 7. Arizona Klatt: “(Brent) Brennan is now in year three in Tucson. He brings back his first team All Big 12 quarterback Noah Fifita, going into year four as a starter. I mean, this guy is as experienced as anybody.” Fifita is the key, like for a lot of teams, at QB. Arizona has been rising steadily under Brennan and they’ll be another team to watch out for in the Big 12 this season, attempting to make their first playoff run. 6. Utah Klatt: “Morgan Scalley isn’t going to flip everything upside down in Salt Lake. This guy is a Utah lifer. He’s been in that building his whole career. I mean, Morgan’s a hell of a football coach. They’re still going to be aggressive on defense. They’re still going to be good on the offensive line.” Scalley, as Klatt said, won’t change much when it comes to Utah’s style of football. Once again, another Big 12 school made Klatt’s list of potential first-timers. QB Devon Dampier returns and features a new WR corps with transfers Kyri Shoels and Braden Pegan. 5. Louisville Klatt: “Jeff Brohm, nine-plus wins in all three seasons at Louisville. He’s got an excellent track record. He went to a Big Ten championship game with Purdue. Brohm can coach. There’s no doubt about it. They’re going to be five on this list because out of the ACC, you’ve got Miami and then who? Miami and who else at this point is going to be strong in the ACC? Might be Louisville.” Nearly all of Louisville’s offensive personnel is new due to transfers coming in. QB Lincoln Kienholz left Ohio State for the opportunity. But one thing’s for sure, Brohm gets the most out of his guys and it’s a wide open ACC, especially for that No. 2 spot. 4. Michigan Klatt: “Yes, they’ve made the playoff, not under Kyle Whittingham, but they’ve made the playoff. They went and they won a national championship right before the 12 team playoff, what, three years ago? But they’ve missed the CFP each of the last two years, and obviously a lot of turmoil led to Kyle Whittingham coming in as their head coach. I think he’s a perfect fit at Michigan.” Michigan can return to the playoff, and make their first 12-team iteration, under Whittingham. They preach hard-nosed play in the trenches and QB Bryce Underwood could take the next step as a sophomore under OC Jason Beck. 3. USC Klatt: “I think Lincoln finally has the team that can play requisite football at the line of scrimmage … They showed me signs last year. I thought the game against Michigan, the game against Iowa, those were tough, hard-nosed wins. By the way, they happened at the Coliseum. That’s a key point in this discussion when you’re talking about a potential playoff run because they were quietly one of the best teams in the country at home.” QB Jayden Maiava is the highlighted returner for the Trojans, but as Klatt pointed out, the trenches play should be better in 2026. If they are this good at home again, like 2025, USC might surprise everyone and compete for the top of the Big Ten and not just the CFP. 2. BYU Klatt: “BYU was oh so close a year ago. They were in that Big 12 championship game and came up just a little bit short. Now they came up short because of their offense. They couldn’t do anything against that Tech defense. I don’t know if Tech’s defense is going to be nearly what they were a year ago.” Bear Bachmeier is one of the more intriguing QBs to pay attention to as he goes into his sophomore year. BYU got the commitment of Kalani Sitake when he turned down Penn State to stay at BYU. This team is loaded and could win the Big 12. 1. LSU Klatt: “Have not been to the playoff in the last two years. Have not been to a 12 team playoff. Obviously, they were in the four team playoff. By the way, isn’t it shocking? That’s the only College Football Playoff that LSU has been to, the Joe Burrow year … That’s shocking. That’s why Lane Kiffin is there … Kiffin’s got 10-plus wins in four of his final seasons at Ole Miss. This guy can coach.” Of course LSU had to make Klatt’s list. As he pointed out, other than the Joe Burrow year, LSU has missed the CFP in every iteration. Kiffin was brought in to win a national title this year or the next. That’s the expectation, fair or not.