Joel Klatt Names 8 Teams as 2026 Title Contenders in Way-Too-Early Top 10

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 28

Eight teams made Joel Klatt’s early 2026 national-title tier, with Ohio State highlighted by returning QB Julian Sayin and WR Jeremiah Smith plus a revamped staff under Ryan Day.
Texas, Miami and defending champion Indiana followed close behind in Klatt’s view, driven by Arch Manning’s growth, Miami’s addition of Duke transfer QB Darian Mensah, and Indiana’s portal-fueled reload under Curt Cignetti.
LSU, Oregon, Notre Dame and Georgia rounded out the contender group, with Klatt calling LSU the biggest wild card despite a rumored $40 million roster and the No. 1 portal class.
Key early tests could quickly sort the field: Ohio State opens at Texas, Miami visits Notre Dame, LSU draws Clemson in Week 1, and Georgia faces a difficult midseason six-game stretch.
Klatt’s broader argument was that the 2026 race is not truly wide open, with returning production, transfer talent and elite coaching narrowing realistic championship hopes to a small group.