The college football offseason is winding down, and the predictions are already dropping like rain in November. Klatt just laid out his picks for every Power Four conference champion and the full 12-team bracket, and straight up, his Big Ten championship prediction is going to get people talking. Forget everything you thought about the top of that conference because Klatt is putting the Oregon Ducks right at the top.
The Big Ten Gauntlet Just Got Even Crazier
Klatt is practically screaming that the Big Ten is *loaded* at the top this year. We’ve all seen the preseason polls, right? Ohio State snagged that #1 spot in the AP Top 25, while Oregon led Klatt’s personal preseason rankings. And let’s not forget Indiana, the reigning national champion. Then you’ve got powerhouses like USC, Penn State, and Michigan, all clawing to break into that top-tier air. But here’s the shocker: Klatt thinks Ohio State’s path to Indianapolis is simply too brutal. That schedule is a nightmare! They open on the road in Week 2 against Texas, then face trips to Iowa, USC, and Indiana. Seriously, those are all very difficult places to play, and Klatt says it means Ohio State won’t make the Big Ten title game.
But don’t sleep on Oregon. The Ducks are bringing back a ton of production from their 2025 squad. Their schedule is also tough, no doubt, but Klatt believes Dan Lanning and his squad are prepared to handle it. While he thinks Indiana will absolutely get back into that contender spot, when it comes down to it, Klatt is taking Dan Lanning and the Ducks to hoist that Big Ten trophy. You read that right: Oregon, Big Ten champs. Wow.
SEC Showdown & Big 12 Walk
Over in the SEC, Klatt thinks it’s a very deep conference, but two teams stand above the rest: Georgia and Texas. LSU is the wild card he’s watching closely, but the real drama is between the Bulldogs and the Longhorns. Can Texas coach Steve Sarkisian finally get over the hump? Klatt highlights the Week 2 matchup against Ohio State as a “real defining moment” for Texas early in the season. For Texas to truly break through, they’ve got to conquer those long-standing barriers, especially against Georgia and Kirby Smart. Klatt admits he doesn’t want to bet against Georgia, but he’s not sure if they’ll have the sheer firepower to keep up with what could be a very potent Texas offense. In the end, he believes Texas and Sarkisian can indeed get over that hump.
Now, shifting gears to the Big 12, Klatt keeps it pretty simple. He sees Texas Tech as the most talented team in the league, and they’ve got a seriously soft schedule, with only one ranked opponent on the slate: Houston in Week 3. He likes Arizona a lot, especially with quarterback Noah Fifita returning, but he just doesn’t love their schedule in the Big 12, with road games at BYU and Texas Tech standing out as tough matchups.
So, get ready, because the season kicks off with some massive games. That Ohio State at Texas matchup in Week 2? That’s going to tell us a ton about both programs and who really has the grit to go all the way. It’s going to be a wild ride!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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