College Football Rankings: Joel Klatt releases preseason top 25 teams

Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt released his preseason top 25 teams on Monday, showcasing where he thinks the best teams in college football stack up. He revealed it on The Joel Klatt Show.

Like any set of rankings, these will certainly change as the season progress. But, this is a great look ahead to a few weeks from now when college football kicks off.

Without further ado, let’s dive into Klatt’s top 25 teams in the nation. We’ll head to the Big Ten to begin the rankings.

1. Penn State

Penn State is running it back this year, similar to Ohio State last season. Drew Allar is back at QB, as well as Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen at RB.

Klatt has the Nittany Lions as the preseason No. 1 team in the country. So by that logic, this could be the year James Franklin and crew finally win a national championship.

2. Texas

The Longhorns are basically national championship or bust under Steve Sarkisian this year. Arch Manning takes over at QB with a lot of hype behind him.

Klatt has them in the mix of course. With a reloaded defense and some intriguing weapons on offense, this is certainly one of the best teams in the country.

3. Ohio State

The defending national champions don’t get the top spot in Klatt’s preseason rankings this year. But they are pretty darn close.

Julian Sayin is the expected new starter at quarterback for the Buckeyes. But don’t forget, this team has mega stars in Jeremiah Smith at WR and Caleb Downs at defensive back.

4. Clemson

Dabo Swinney has one of his best teams in recent years with veteran QB Cade Klubnik under center to start things out. Klatt likes the hype around the Tigers this year.

Some spots were beefed up around the offense and defense but NFL talent is in the trenches this season. Peter Woods and TJ Parker anchor a dominant defensive line and could turn into Round 1 picks in 2026.

5. Oregon

Dan Lanning has improved Oregon each and every season, which included a Big Ten title and 13-0 record going into the CFP last year. Klatt kept them in the top five going into the fall.

The biggest question will be if Dante Moore truly developed behind Dillon Gabriel last year. WR Evan Stewart could be out for the year, so Moore will have to step up and the defense will have to mash other top teams in the Big Ten.

6. Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman is one of the best coaches in college football, despite a shorter resume than others. But, Notre Dame had one heck of a run to the finals last season.

They have to sort out the QB competition, but Jeremiyah Love returns at RB and is a Heisman candidate. Klatt has the Fighting Irish firmly in the top 10 as get through August.

7. Georgia

Kirby Smart led this team to an SEC title and the No. 2 seed in the CFP last season. Klatt won’t underestimate the Bulldogs being right back in the thick of the title race.

Gunner Stockton is the new quarterback and has transfer WR Zachariah Branch to throw to. Linebacker transfer Elo Modozie is intriguing and Christen Miller should be a solid defensive tackle this fall.

8. LSU

Klatt likes Brian Kelly’s team this year as they now have CFP expectations being a preseason top 10 team. It’s Year 4, so there has to be some sort of pressure on the head coach.

It helps that he has veterans like QB Garrett Nussmeier and LB Harold Perkins leading the way. Nussmeier should be in the Heisman conversation.

9. Alabama

Kalen DeBoer goes into Year 2 with the Crimson Tide and Klatt’s been a fan for a hot minute. The debut season wasn’t the best, just nine wins, but that’s by Alabama standards.

DeBoer’s offense should take a step forward with Ty Simpson at QB and WR Ryan Williams entering Year 2 after a great freshman season. Expect some steps forward on defense as well.

10. Michigan

Sherrone Moore didn’t get Michigan back to the playoff last year, but the Wolverines beat Ohio State and Alabama back to back. Now, there’s expectations to get to Jim Harbaugh-level.

Klatt has them in the top 10, so they are firmly in the mix for the Big Ten title with the rival Buckeyes, Oregon and Penn State. Freshman QB Bryce Underwood might go right away.

Joel Klatt preseason Top 25 rankings

11. South Carolina
12. Miami
13. Illinois
14. Florida
15. Kansas State
16. Texas A&M
17. Indiana
18. Arizona State
19. Texas Tech
20. Iowa State
21. Ole Miss
22. Iowa
23. Baylor
24. Oklahoma
25. Utah