04-08-2025
Fox Sports Joel Klatt ranks Texas No. 2 behind Penn State in preseason rankings
Fox Sports and lead analyst Joel Klatt will get a very good look at Texas in Week 1 of the college football season when the Longhorns travel to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Horseshoe. Klatt has released his preseason Top 25 rankings and the former Colorado quarterback ranks Texas at No. 2, ahead of Ohio State but behind Penn State.
If you've watched the Joel Klatt Show this summer, you know he's high on Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns.
"It's 'Arch Mania' folks. And I can't wait for it. I think Arch is going to be outstanding. He reminds me of the college version of Trevor Lawrence." - Joel Klatt of Fox Sports
While Klatt is enthusiastic about Manning, he likes what surrounds the first-year starting QB on offense.
"You look at what's around Manning. (Ryan) Wingo, he could be a breakout star on the outside. They get CJ Baxter back. Remember him? He's excellent. The O line has some question marks, but again, like this is a program that is recruited really, really well." - Joel Klatt of Fox Sports
But as much as he thinks Manning will thrive, it is the Longhorns defense that has Klatt really excited about UT's chances at the national title.
"I really think Texas has a chance to have the best defense in the country. Sark's known for offense. Everyone's going to talk about Arch, but the defense should be incredible. Really, really good. Did you know five of the last eight national champions have finished with the number one scoring defense in the country? Texas is going to have a chance to do that. They have a star at each level of that defense. Colin Simmons off the edge, Anthony Hill at linebacker, Michael Taff at safety. They hit the portal to address defensive tackle." - Joel Klatt of Fox Sports
While Klatt can't make an official prediction for the game since he's the lead analyst on Aug. 30, but the fact he ranked the Horns ahead of the Buckeyes gives you an indication of he's true feelings.
"I'm going to give them the early nod at least right now. Uh not picking a winner, but like I give them the nod over Ohio State in that 3-2 battle because I think I trust Manning over kind of an unfounded quarterback situation, unsettled quarterback situation at Ohio State." - Joel Klatt of Fox Sports
Klatt believes Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has build a program that could become the best program in the SEC for years to come.
"They've played in the national semifinal each of the last two years. Sark has built something that is sustainable. I believe that that's your SEC champion. I think that Texas in a lot of ways could steal the mantle from Georgia and win the SEC and become the preeminent program in that conference." - Joel Klatt of Fox Sports
Still, the Fox Sports announcer has Texas No. 2 behind Penn State. Klatt thinks the Nittany Lions follow the pattern of the last couple national champs.
"I'm huge on I'm huge on blueprints, folks. You know this and in the last two years we have seen the blueprint that goes out there and wins the national championship. That is an experienced team with an experienced quarterback with a lot of guys that come back. They spurn the NFL. They come back. There's a chip on their shoulder. There's a tough loss in their rearview mirror and they go out there, they right write the ship and they get it done. That's Penn State." - Joel Klatt of Fox Sports
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