Joel Klatt, Bear Fallica rank College Football Playoff Champion contenders 1-12

Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt and Chris “Bear” Fallica ranked the College Football Playoff national championship contenders at this point of the season. The two did a draft on The Joel Klatt Show.

This was simply an exercise of ranking the best chance to win the national title, not making the College Football Playoff. Fallica had the first pick, followed by Klatt and two alternated.

So, we’ll start at the top of the list, among College Football Playoff contenders. With the first pick, Bear takes …

1. Ohio State (Bear)

The Buckeyes are the top ranked team in the country and Bear’s first pick. Ohio State is the defending national champion, are a near shoe-in to get back to the College Football Playoff and most likely to win this year, according to some.

Julian Sayin is in the Heisman conversation at QB, he has the best WR in the country in Jeremiah Smith and the defense is arguably better than last year. Great selection!

2. Indiana (Klatt)

The Hoosiers are bound to return to the College Football Playoff it seems. They are undefeated, beat Oregon and have dominated most of their opponents this year.

So, Klatt took them with his first pick, making it two Big Ten teams as far as national title favorites. Curt Cignetti has done a marvelous job over the last two seasons turning this team into a true contender.

3. Oregon (Bear)

The next pick for the College Football Playoff national title contenders was Oregon, from Bear. The Ducks’ lone loss is Indiana, so the order in this type of draft makes sense.

Still, Dan Lanning is one of the best coaches in the country, they have a Heisman contender in QB Dante Moore and should be favored the rest of the way. The Big Ten title game isn’t out of reach either.

4. Alabama (Klatt)

Klatt opted for Alabama for his College Football Playoff title contender draft. The Crimson Tide are 6-1 after losing the opener to Florida State.

Ty Simpson is playing extremely well and Kalen DeBoer has right the ship. Funny enough, this is the first SEC team on the list!

5. Georgia (Bear)

Bear kept the College Football Playoff picks in the SEC with Georgia. The team’s lone loss is to Alabama, but that game was highly competitive as usual.

Gunner Stockton has been one of the best QB stories in college football and the program is firing off on all cylinders. Florida is up next on November 1st and Georgia has two ranked games left: No. 22 Texas and No. 7 Georgia Tech.

6. Notre Dame (Klatt)

Klatt pivoted to the independents! Well, just Notre Dame for the College Football Playoff national title contenders.

The Fighting Irish have won five in a row since losses to Miami and Texas A&M, but look every bit as good as last season. Maybe even better with CJ Carr and Jeremiyah Love firing off on all cylinders.

7. Texas A&M (Bear)

The Aggies are 7-0 on the season so this might be a steal in this College Football Playoff draft! Bear loves what Mike Elko is doing right now and they could very well win the SEC, getting a bye!

The real challenge begins this week as Texas A&M visits No. 20 LSU, has a bye and then visits No. 15 Missouri. Sheesh! The Aggies also visit No. 22 Texas at the end of the year.

8. Miami (Klatt)

Miami lost to Louisville last week for their first loss of the season. Still, one loss does not define the Hurricanes through the first half of the season.

Klatt picked them in the back half of the College Football Playoff contenders draft. Carson Beck is coming off a terrible four interception game, but has played pretty well this season, in addition to the team’s defense stepping up.

9. Texas Tech (Bear)

It was Bear’s turn and he picked the Red Raiders, and not BYU, coming out of the Big 12. Texas Tech dropped their first game to Arizona State last weekend, but are by no means out of it.

They’re explosive and a logical College Football Playoff pick. Winning it all? They’re not in the top tier of favorites, but perhaps a run isn’t out of the question.

10. Ole Miss (Klatt)

Ole Miss is still in contention to win the College Football Playoff despite losing to Georgia. Klatt picked Lane Kiffin’s squad among his contenders.

Trinidad Chambliss has played valiantly since becoming the starting QB. But Kiffin has to prove his team can get over the hump against the biggest competition in the SEC and around the country.

11. Vanderbilt (Bear)

How about this one out of left field? Well, not quite out of left field since Vanderbilt is 6-1 on the season and ranked No. 10 in the country. 

Bear picked them in his College Football Playoff contender draft, led by QB Diego Pavia. Hosting No. 15 Missouri this weekend will be must-see TV before they travel to Texas.

12. Texas (Klatt)

Texas wouldn’t be left off this College Football Playoff list according to Klatt! Arch Manning has improved as the season has progressed, but the Longhorns aren’t this juggernaut some projected them to be at the start of the season.

Still, they’re 5-2 on the season and have three ranked matchups left. At 10-2, Texas could actually make the SEC Championship with just one conference loss and have plenty of CFP buzz with the resume. It’s about getting hot at the right time.