The excitement of college football is reaching a fever pitch as analysts and fans alike speculate on the upcoming 2025 season. Among the many voices in the discussion, Joel Klatt, a well-respected college football analyst, has shown his cards with his predictions on who might claim the national championship.

Often known for his very bold and well-researched takes, like the one time he called Shedeur the “most clutch player in college football“, Klatt is back to share his views on who he thinks would be the top 4 contenders for the national championship. So let’s get right into it.

Joel Klatt’s championship predictions

With The Next Live hosting quite an interesting interview, Lance Taylor asked Klatt for his predictions for the 2025 college football national championship. Klatt expressed a strong belief in the dominance of four particular teams: Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, and Texas.

“I firmly believe at this point, things are definitely going to change but some combination of Ohio and Georgia 1 and 2 to begin the year and some combination of Oregon and Texas 3 and 4,” Klatt stated. His confidence in these teams is based on their quite strong rosters with amazing players like Carson Beck, The Mullet-bearing Quinn Ewers, and Jalen Milroe. Additionally, the teams benefit from solid coaches like Kalen DeBoer, Kirby Smart, Ryan Day, and Steve Sarkisian.

Additionally, Lance Taylor further made the question a bit more interesting by asking, “How many teams outta the SEC, outside of Georgia and Texas, do you believe could legit win a national championship this year?” Klatt responded, “I would be really surprised if one of the 4 teams don’t win the national championship. You know there are a lot of teams which are legitimate playoff teams. It would take a terrific break and run for anyone else to win the national championship. Those four teams have completely separated their roster out. It would surprise me if anybody else out of the Big Ten or SEC were to win the national championship or even be in the semi-finals really.” Pretty much solidifies his stance for the Big 4.

But now, one might wonder, “Why only those 4 teams?” Only having some powerful players and some great coaches doesn’t automatically make a team win the national championship easily, right? Well, let’s check out some stats then.

The powerhouses: Why Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, and Texas stand out

The Buckeyes are set to be a dominant force in 2024. Returning key players include running back TreVeyon Henderson, who rushed for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and defensive end JT Tuimoloau, who recorded five sacks and seven tackles for loss. Their strong defensive line, including Jack Sawyer with 10 tackles for loss, will be a critical asset. Additionally, Ohio State’s addition of experienced quarterback Will Howard from Kansas State addresses a significant need, positioning them as favorites in the Big Ten.

Under Coach Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs continue to be a defensive powerhouse. In the 2024 season, Georgia allowed just 9.8 points per game, showcasing their defensive strength. Offensively, they averaged 38.6 points per game, making them a balanced and formidable team. Key players like linebacker Smael Mondon Jr., who led the team in tackles, and quarterback Brock Vandagriff, who threw for over 3,000 yards, highlight Georgia’s depth and talent on both sides of the ball.

Moving on to the Ducks, they have been impressive with their high-powered offense, averaging 42.3 points per game in 2024. Players include quarterback Bo Nix, who passed for 4,100 yards and 35 touchdowns, and running back Bucky Irving, who rushed for 1,200 yards. Also, Oregon’s defense, led by linebacker Justin Flowe, allowed only 21.8 points per game, making them a well-rounded team poised for a deep playoff run.

Finally, the Longhorns have been reborn under Coach Steve Sarkisian. In 2024, they averaged 39.2 points per game, with quarterback Quinn Ewers throwing for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns. Furthermore, taking Arch Manning onto the roaster is a big win for the team as well. Defensively, linebacker Jaylan Ford, who led the team with 112 tackles, and defensive end Alfred Collins, who recorded 8 sacks, make Texas a strong contender in the upcoming season.