Marcus Freeman on Notre Dame's CFP run, staying Independent, USC Rivalry | Big Noon Conversations
FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt sits down with Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman to discuss the Fighting Irish’s run to the National Championship Game and how the program builds on that success. They talk about Notre Dame’s independence in the sport and whether that is something that will always make sense in the future with the changing landscape in college football. The two also get into the nature of scheduling in the sport and why Freeman wants the USC rivalry to continue on a yearly basis. Coach opens up about what he’s learned in his first 3 full seasons as the leader of one of the most prestigious programs in the country and much more in the first episode of Big Noon Conversations in 2025.
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33:34
Coaching Pressure Index: 10 Head Coaches under Pressure this Season
FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt looks at 10 Head Coaches and breaks down how much pressure each is under heading into the upcoming season. He also points out which games in the schedule the temperature could really ratchet up on them. He discusses coaches with big expectations like Penn State’s James Franklin and LSU’s Brian Kelly as well as HC’s like USC’s Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma’s Brent Venables who are trying to convince their fanbases that they are the right coaches for the jobs. What level of pressure is Kalen DeBoer under to perform in Year 2 at Alabama? How has Nico Iamaleava’s departure affected the need for a big season for Josh Heupel at Tennessee? How comfortable are Billy Napier and Mike Norvell in the battle with Miami for supremacy in the state of Florida? It’s been an eventful start at North Carolina for Bill Belichick – has he brought pressure on himself to perform in Year 1? Klatt also discusses the situation Luke Fickell finds himself in at Wisconsin as he tries to bring the Badgers back to the top half of the Big Ten while staring at one of the toughest schedules in the country.
0:00-1:45 Intro1:46-3:04 Klatt’s coaching pressure index3:05-6:52 Kalen DeBoer6:53-10:16 James Franklin10:17-13:49 Lincoln Riley13:50-17:35 Brent Venables17:36-21:04 Brian Kelly21:05-25:07 Josh Heupel25:08-27:43 Bill Belichick27:44-30:06 Mike Norvell30:07-31:56 Billy Napier31:57-37:17 Luke Fickell
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39:02
CFP 5+11 Model gains steam... is that good or bad for college football?
FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt reacts to the growing interest in a 5+11 College Football Playoff model. Klatt reacts to Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark voicing his support for the model and analyzes if this model is even good for the Big 12 or the sport overall. Klatt presents an alternative playoff option that gives the Big 12 and ACC a chance to battle each other for a 3rd CFP spot. Lastly, Klatt lists what he thinks should be the objectives of the College Football Playoff and debates whether the proposed 5+11 model meets his criteria.
0:00-1:49 Intro1:50-5:29 What will the future college football playoff format look like?5:30-7:37 Does the 5+11 CFP format make more sense for the sport?7:38-12:04 What are the disadvantages of the 5+11 CFP format?12:05-15:17 Surprised the Big 12 is In favor of the 5+11 CFP format?15:18-18:09 Should Big 12 and ACC consider a model with “2.5” automatic qualifiers for those 2 conferences?18:10-24:47 Klatt’s Objectives for the CFP24:48-26:52 Should Big 12 and ACC consider a model with “2.5” automatic qualifiers for those 2 conferences?
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28:37
The College Football Playoff is Changing – for better or worse?
FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt reacts to the news that the College Football Playoff is changing the seeding model for the upcoming season. He lays out the advantages and disadvantages of the change. He then discusses the growing momentum behind a 16-team Playoff model for 2026 and beyond. Klatt explains what options are on the table and how it would all look in the proposed structure before weighing in with his opinion on whether it’s the right way for the sport to move forward.
0:00-1:40 intro1:41-5:17 CFP moving to straight seeding model for 2025 season5:18-8:13 What the new seeding model means for the playoff in 20258:14-12:12 Will the CFP move to a 16-team format in 2026?12:13-17:50 What are the options for a 16-team playoff format?17:51-19:20 16-team CFP format example19:21-21:16 Top 2 seeds receive byes into quarterfinals21:17-33:04 Is a 16-team format the best model for the CFP?
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34:49
Joel Klatt’s Top 10 Quarterbacks for the 2025 College Football Season
FOX Sports’ lead College Football analyst Joel Klatt ranks his Top 10 Quarterbacks heading into the 2025 season. He explains his rankings when evaluating up-and-coming QBs like Texas’ Arch Manning and Florida’s D.J. Lagway against experienced veterans like Penn State’s Drew Allar and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik. Klatt also reveals two transfer Quarterbacks in his Top 10 that will both be trying to follow Cam Ward’s blueprint from a year ago. He explains why he has some reservations about one player while the other got the nod inside his Top 5.
0:00-1:23 Intro1:24-2:07 Top 10 qbs2:08-4:28 Carson Beck4:29-6:31 Luke Altmyer6:32-7:50 LaNorris Sellers7:51-9:07 DJ Lagway9:08-10:17 Garrett Nussmeier10:18-14:19 Drew Allar14:20-16:11 Sam Leavitt16:12-19:38 John Mateer19:39-24:05 Arch Manning24:06-28:24 Cade Klubnik
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About The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast
FOX Sports' college football analyst Joel Klatt breaks down the biggest topics in the world of college football. Joel relies on his experience on the field, detailed film analysis and unmatched preparation to give you the most consistent, fair and best analysis in the sport. Each week, Joel dives into the matchups, reacts to rankings, answers questions and discusses the biggest storylines in college football.
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