College Football Playoff Draft: How Many Teams Could Win the National Title?
Updated Oct jiligame. 23, 2025, 10:39 p.m. ET
By Joel Klatt, Lead College Football Analyst
How many teams would you pick to win the national championship before Notre Dame? This question came up during our “Big Noon Kickoff” production call on Monday, posed by Chris “The Bear” Fallica. After two losses at the start of the season, Notre Dame has emerged as the country’s best two-loss team and looks ready to enter the College Football Playoff.
This discussion led to an intriguing exercise that I wanted to explore with “The Bear” on my podcast, “The Joel Klatt Show.” We conducted a 12-team draft to determine which teams have the best chances of winning the national championship this season.
This isn’t merely a draft of teams likely to make the CFP; it’s about identifying those with the highest potential to claim the title.
1. www.slotvip The Bear: Ohio State
Bear’s thoughts: “It’s obvious. It’s easy. It’s the team that won last year, and it looks like the likely winner this year. It’s got to be Ohio State. It’s the most complete team out there. Julian Sayin is improving each week. They’re incorporating him more into the offense with a more passing-heavy strategy. I believe their running backs will step up, and their defense is nearly impossible to score against. Sure, they might face a stronger offense than they’ve encountered so far, but how can you bet against Ohio State?”
2. Klatt: Indiana
This choice was more challenging. I wavered between two teams but decided against my instincts. My gut says to go with the other option, but I have doubts about their defense. Among the last four national champions, the least impressive defense still ranked fourth in college football. Three of those defenses were the best in the nation. That said, I choose Indiana.
I back Indiana because the Hoosiers offer a balanced offensive scheme. They can run and throw effectively. Fernando Mendoza is having an outstanding season. Their defense may not get the recognition it deserves; they pressured Oregon significantly, reflecting their capability. My concern revolves around depth. If a key player gets injured, do they have the depth to compete with other powerhouse teams? That’s my concern for Indiana.
3. The Bear: Oregon
Bear’s thoughts: “Surprise! I was weighing between two teams—Oregon and another one I’ll wait to see. You mentioned roster construction where blue chips matter. Oregon has plenty of those. They might be a bit young, but they possess the best mix of recruited and homegrown talent. I admire Dan Lanning and Dante Moore. The defense is solid. I was slightly worried they couldn’t run the ball against Indiana as effectively as I expected, but I think opinions swing too much from one end to the other.”
4. Klatt: Alabama
I wasn’t expecting this pick. Alabama appears to be the most formidable SEC team, improving defensively. Tennessee had the top-scoring offense in the nation, but Alabama stepped up when it counted most. They showcase one of the premier passing games in the country. If they continue enhancing their run game and defense, they’ll be a top contender. Alabama has demonstrated its ability by winning four straight games against high-quality, top-20 teams.
Ty Simpson is exceptional, and Alabama’s passing game has greater depth this year.
5. The Bear: Georgia
Bear’s thoughts: “It pains me, as we discussed needing a strong defense to win, but I’ll go with Georgia. superjili.com You might have expected a different choice, but I trust their mentality. The Bulldogs have shown resilience, rallying from double-digit deficits against Auburn and Tennessee. They managed to turn things around defensively when it mattered. Perhaps that last game against Ole Miss was a wake-up call. Kirby Smart has set a high standard, and I trust the program’s pedigree. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Georgia in contention for the Heisman with Gunner Stockton on that stage come January.”
6. Klatt: Notre Dame
Here’s the answer to your question from Monday. I thought you might decide between Georgia and Notre Dame. With the remaining schedule, I see Notre Dame as virtually a lock for the College Football Playoff. The committee will view their losses to Texas A&M and Miami as forgivable, especially with a new quarterback on the roster. Notre Dame’s run game against USC was impressive, with Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love dominating on the ground. They are tough up front, and their defense is improving, despite earlier concerns vipph app register. They also managed to overcome CJ Carr’s less-than-stellar performance against USC.
7. The Bear: Texas A&M
Bear’s thoughts: “You probably thought I’d choose another team, given my allegiance to Miami, but let’s be realistic. Texas A&M is big, tough, travels well, and has a versatile quarterback in Marcel Reed. The receivers, Mario Craver and KC Concepcion, present challenges too. Mike Elko has effectively revitalized the squad at College Station. Texas A&M faces a tough challenge in Baton Rouge this week, but they have a great shot if everything aligns, just like Notre Dame did last year.”
8. Klatt: Miami (Fla.)
I like A&M, but this is where I begin to hesitate. I wouldn’t be shocked if any of the first six teams we picked won the national championship. For Miami, if Carson Beck performs well, they could win that game against Louisville despite a rocky performance. Louisville is capable of causing upsets, particularly under Jeff Brohm.
I appreciate Miami’s structure, but I worry about their ability to capitalize in critical games, whether it be the ACC Championship or the CFP. Mario Cristobal’s game management leaves much to be desired, and the final drive against Louisville felt more like a tie attempt than a win strategy.
9. The Bear: Texas Tech
Bear’s thoughts: “Now, we’re discussing teams that might not guarantee a playoff spot. I initially thought Texas Tech was the best team in the Big 12, but injuries hampered them, particularly in their comeback attempt against Arizona State. Texas Tech is still favored to win the Big 12. If they recover quickly from injuries, I believe their schedule bodes well.”
10. Klatt: Ole Miss
The internet was down during my flight for Saturday’s Ole Miss-Georgia game, so I only caught it on film. Ole Miss looked strong, but when the moment became daunting for Trinidad Chambliss, they faltered, which is to be expected given the atmosphere. My concern for Ole Miss is whether they’ll need to engage in high-scoring matches against quality opponents. They’ve shown defensive misalignments that allowed critical first downs.
11. The Bear: Vanderbilt
Bear’s thoughts: “I considered Oklahoma but doubt it can navigate the gauntlet with only one more loss. Vanderbilt’s story is feel-good, and while they have little to no chance of winning the national title, how incredible would it be to see them beat Missouri, win in Texas, and clinch a playoff spot with an 11-1 record sabong game? Clark Lea has accomplished terrific work. The offensive line is underrated, and they run effectively, though they likely won’t win, I pick Vandy at No. 11.”
12. Klatt: Texas
I appreciate Vandy’s pick. They had a close game against Alabama. They’re a solid team. I debated between Texas, Oklahoma, and even Michigan, especially after witnessing Michigan’s return to form. However, if any of these teams will make the CFP, it’s Texas due to its strong defense. If Arch Manning can improve, he’ll have a fantastic roster to support him. I don’t have faith in Texas’s chances at Athens, yet I sense that Texas will eventually find its rhythm, led by Steve Sarkisian’s capabilities as an offensive coach.
Joel Klatt is FOX Sports’ lead college football analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Show.” Follow him @joelklatt and subscribe to “The Joel Klatt Show” on YouTube.
What are your thoughts on this season’s college football landscape?
