The 2026 college football season is nearly here, and FOX's Joel Klatt has unveiled his highly anticipated 12-team playoff predictions. With the Big Ten having claimed the last three national titles—each by a different program—Klatt sees the conference's dominance continuing in the regular season but ultimately falling short on the biggest stage.
In his bracket, Klatt has the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame hoisting the trophy, a result that would mark a historic moment for the program. The prediction sets up a potential dream matchup in the national championship between two unbeaten powerhouses.
First Round: Upsets and Statement Wins
- No. 5 Ohio State over No. 12 Boise State
- No. 9 USC over No. 8 Texas Tech
- No. 6 Indiana over No. 11 Alabama
- No. 7 Georgia over No. 10 LSU
The opening round features a couple of notable surprises, with USC and Indiana pulling off road victories against higher-seeded opponents. These results would immediately shake up the bracket and set the stage for thrilling quarterfinal matchups.
Quarterfinals: Heavyweights Collide
- No. 5 Ohio State over No. 4 Texas
- No. 1 Oregon over No. 9 USC
- No. 3 Miami over No. 6 Indiana
- No. 2 Notre Dame over No. 7 Georgia
The quarterfinals would deliver a series of marquee games, with Ohio State avenging an earlier-season loss to Texas, and Oregon handling a surging USC squad. Miami continues its resurgence under coach Mario Cristobal, while Notre Dame's stifling defense proves too much for Georgia.
Semifinals: Clash of Titans
- No. 1 Oregon over No. 5 Ohio State
- No. 2 Notre Dame over No. 3 Miami
In the semifinals, Klatt sees Oregon's high-octane offense, led by quarterback Dante Moore, outlasting Ohio State in a shootout. Meanwhile, Notre Dame's defense, anchored by a ferocious front seven, shuts down Miami's attack to set up a title game for the ages.
National Championship: A Battle for the Ages
Klatt's final prediction has No. 2 Notre Dame defeating No. 1 Oregon in a clash that would pit two of the sport's brightest young coaches—Dan Lanning and Marcus Freeman—against each other. The game would also feature a potential showdown between two top quarterback prospects: Oregon's Dante Moore and Notre Dame's C.J. Carr.
“This would be an unbelievable matchup on paper,” Klatt noted. “Notre Dame's elite defense versus Oregon's explosive offense—it's the kind of game that defines a generation.”
If Klatt's bracket holds, it would mark Notre Dame's first national title since 1988, snapping the Big Ten's three-year championship streak. The Fighting Irish's path would include wins over Georgia, Miami, and Oregon, making it one of the most impressive runs in recent memory.
With the season opener just days away, fans can start debating whether Klatt's predictions will come to fruition. For more on the upcoming season, check out College GameDay's first three stops and the latest on NFL players returning to college.
