
The Herd with Colin Cowherd THE HERD - Hour 3 - Notre Dame is going scorched Earth over being left out of the College Football Playoff, Joel Klatt
Dec 9, 2025
College football analyst Joel Klatt discusses Notre Dame's fiery reaction to being excluded from the College Football Playoff and the impact of ACC tiebreakers on Miami's chances. He breaks down Indiana's surprising victory over Ohio State, crediting their fresh defensive line. The duo also delves into NIL's transformative effects on underdog programs. Klatt analyzes NFL prospect Fernando Mendoza and forecasts Ohio State's playoff adjustments. Fun anecdotes and quarterback classifications make this a must-listen for football fans!
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Separate Mid-Major Championship Is Better
- Klatt says Group of Five inclusion hurts those teams when they face blowouts and suggests a separate FCS-style title would better serve them.
- He believes current access mainly avoids legal action rather than improves college football quality.
Why Mid-Majors Are In The Playoff
- Klatt says including Group of Five teams in the CFP exists mainly to avoid antitrust litigation.
- He prefers a separate national championship for mid-majors to better serve those programs.
Preparation Trumped Reputation
- Kurt Signetti predicted Indiana's freshness, focus, and hunger would beat Ohio State, and those factors materialized.
- Klatt calls Indiana and Ohio State the two best teams after that game.

