Joel Klatt’s Shocking Preseason Top 25 Will Change How You See the Season Before It Even Starts
It’s never too early to stir the college football pot, right? Months ahead of the 2025 kickoff, Joel Klatt—yes, that sharp-eyed FOX broadcaster—is already stirring some preseason buzz with his bold take on the top 25 teams. And wait… Ohio State, the reigning champs, aren’t sitting pretty at number one. Nope, Klatt’s got Penn State perched up front, Texas lurking just behind, and Ohio State down at third. It’s a curious reshuffle that makes you wonder: Is Penn State finally ready to escape the shadow of their Big Ten rivals, or are we witnessing another classic “close but no cigar” story? Klatt’s got plenty to say about Nittany Lions veterans ready to take the next step, Texas’ Heisman hopeful Arch Manning, and the sheer resilience of Ohio State’s talent despite losing a slew of NFL-bound stars. The preseason chatter is fresh, the expectations sky-high — and honestly, who isn’t watching to see if these rankings hold water once the games start? Let’s dive into what makes Klatt’s list not just a ranking but a reading of college football’s evolving power landscape.
Months remain before the 2025 season gets underway, but Joel Klatt has already handicapped his preseason top 25.
The FOX broadcaster revealed his early 2025 rankings on a podcast episode released Monday. Klatt doesn’t have Ohio State as the team to beat, placing the defending champions third.
Instead, Klatt has Penn State leading the charge over Texas. Here’s a look at Klatt’s current preseason hierarchy:
- Penn State
- Texas
- Ohio State
- Oregon
- Clemson
- Notre Dame
- LSU
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Illinois
My Post-Spring Top 25 for 2025…Can't wait! pic.twitter.com/gTTP7QjJSr
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) May 5, 2025
After watching Michigan and Ohio State win it all, Penn State will try to finally get over the hump in 2025. Klatt believes the Nittany Lions are following the same formula as their Big Ten rivals.
Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, and Kaytron Allen are among the stars returning to Penn State’s program after getting eliminated in the College Football Playoff semifinals. James Franklin also hired former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to lead an experienced unit.
After no Penn State wide receiver caught a pass in the Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame, the program added Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, and Kyron Hudson through the transfer portal. Klatt likes Penn State “a lot,” but he wondered if the Nittany Lions can win a marquee matchup against elite competition.
Franklin is 1-15 against AP top-five teams, but Klatt thinks the Nittany Lions are good enough to clear that hurdle this season.
“I believe they will take the next step. I believe Penn State is ready to take the next step with their veterans,” Klatt declared.” Drew Allar leading the charge, I think he’s gonna have a big, big year.”
Meanwhile, Klatt identified Arch Manning as a Heisman Trophy front-runner entering his first season as Texas’ starting quarterback. While he called the SEC squad’s offensive line a “bit concerning,” the analyst thinks a stout defense and top-ranked recruiting class will keep the Longhorns among the nation’s premier contenders.
“Steve Sarkisian has built a program that is a preeminent program in college football,” Klatt said. “You don’t have to ask if Texas is back. They are absolutely back.”
While Buckeyes fans may feel No. 3 is a slight, Klatt may argue that it’s a testament to the team’s talent that they remain so high despite watching 14 players from their championship roster get drafted. He called it “crazy” that Ohio State still has two of the country’s top players in Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs.
Related: ESPN Releases College Football Preseason Top 25 Rankings
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