Joel Klatt reveals top 10 entering final week of regular season

With one week of the college football regular season remaining, FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt’s released his list of the top 10 teams. Upsets to Oregon and Michigan State shook up this week’s rankings, leaving room for teams blow them to move up.

Below Klatt’s complete list of teams, ranked 10-1.

Joel Klatt top 10 college football teams

10. Wisconsin Badgers (8-3): It was a rough start to the year for the Badgers, who went 1-3 through their first four games. They haven’t lost since then, leaning on the nation’s second-best defense. Wisconsin can punch its ticket to the Big Ten championship game with a win against Minnesota on Saturday.

9. Oklahoma Sooners (10-1): The Sooners need a Bedlam win this Saturday to avoid missing the Big 12 title game for the first time since it returned in 2017. After making College Football Playoff appearances in each of Lincoln Riley’s first three seasons, Oklahoma is likely to miss for the second straight season.

8. Baylor Bears (9-2): Baylor needs a bit of luck in the final week of the college football season. To make the Big 12 championship game, not only do the Bears need to beat Texas Tech, but they also need the Sooners to lose.

7. Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-1): The Cowboys lead the country in sacks (42), while also ranking third in total defense and second in scoring defense. Their only loss on the season came by a mere three points on the road against a stout Iowa State team.

6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1): After a slow start to the year, the Fighting Irish have found their rhythm. The defense has allowed just nine points over the past three games, including a shutout of Georgia Tech in Week 12. They’ll look to close the year on a strong note against Stanford on Saturday.

5. Cincinnati Bearcats (11-0): The Bearcats were the first team out in the latest CFP rankings, but Oregon’s loss opens up a spot among the top four. Will Cincinnati be the first Group of 5 school to make the Playoff since its inception in 2014?

4. Michigan Wolverines (10-1): Following a loss to Michigan State, the Wolverines’ hope of making the playoff seemed dim. But the Spartans have since lost two games, knocking themselves out of the race for both the Playoff and Big Ten championship. The stage is set for a huge rivalry game against Ohio State to close the year, with the winner advancing to play for the league title.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide (10-1): Alabama escaped Arkansas in Week 12, clinching its spot in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia. With both teams ranked inside the top four according to the committee, it will be interesting to see what happens in the Crimson Tide end the year with two losses.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1): Boasting one of the most dominant offenses in the country, Ohio State has won in convincing fashion down the stretch. Heisman candidate CJ Stroud has two of the best receivers in the country in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. The only things standing between the Buckeyes and the CFP are Michigan and a Big Ten championship.

1. Georgia Bulldogs (11-0): The clear favorite to win the national championship, Georgia has made it look easy in 2021. The Bulldogs defense is giving up just 7.5 points per game, more than a touchdown less than the next best team. Tennessee put up 17 points in Week 11, but that’s the best anyone has managed against this dominant defense.