2024-25 College Football Playoff: Joel Klatt’s Takeaways from Ohio State, Notre Dame Wins
The 2024-2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) race is heating up, and as the season progresses, analysts and commentators alike are offering their expert analysis on the teams vying for spots in the postseason. One of the most prominent voices in the college football world, Joel Klatt, has shared his insights on the performances of some of the nation’s top programs, particularly focusing on the recent victories by Ohio State and Notre Dame. As the playoff picture becomes clearer, Klatt’s observations offer valuable takeaways for fans and analysts alike, especially regarding the strengths, weaknesses, and key players for these two storied programs.
In this article, we’ll break down Klatt’s takeaways from Ohio State’s and Notre Dame’s crucial wins and explore what these performances mean for their playoff hopes. From offensive breakthroughs to defensive dominance, Klatt’s analysis sheds light on how these teams are positioned as contenders for a spot in the coveted College Football Playoff and what needs to happen in the coming weeks for them to stay in the hunt.
Ohio State: A Dominant Force, but Still Searching for Consistency
Ohio State has been a constant contender for the College Football Playoff since Ryan Day took over as head coach in 2019. The Buckeyes have consistently recruited top-tier talent and maintained a high level of performance, both offensively and defensively. However, as Klatt points out, Ohio State’s path to the 2024-25 CFP is not without challenges. Despite a resounding win in their latest game, Klatt noted that the Buckeyes are still looking for consistency—especially on offense.
In Ohio State’s victory, quarterback Kyle McCord delivered a solid performance, and the offense put up impressive numbers. The Buckeyes’ offense, while talented, has often been inconsistent in key games. McCord’s ability to make big throws is undeniable, but Klatt emphasized that Ohio State needs more consistent execution to be truly dangerous in the postseason. The Buckeyes have elite talent at wide receiver, including Marvin Harrison Jr., who is considered one of the best in college football. Yet, at times, Ohio State has struggled to establish a rhythm in games against elite defenses. For Ohio State to be a legitimate national championship contender, Klatt suggested that they must find ways to get the most out of their passing game in tough matchups.
The Buckeyes’ defense, however, has been one of the most impressive units in college football this season. Led by a strong front seven and a secondary capable of locking down opposing receivers, Ohio State’s defense has made life difficult for opposing offenses. Klatt praised the defensive line for its ability to disrupt the quarterback and put pressure on opposing offenses, creating turnovers and forcing mistakes. The Buckeyes’ defense has been a hallmark of their success under Day, and it will need to remain dominant as Ohio State faces some of the best teams in the country in the coming weeks.
Despite their offensive inconsistencies, Klatt was optimistic about Ohio State’s playoff chances. With a solid defense and a talent-laden roster, the Buckeyes remain in the hunt for the 2024-25 College Football Playoff. However, to avoid falling short once again, Klatt believes that Ohio State’s offense must find a more consistent rhythm, especially as the competition stiffens in the postseason.
Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish Are Legitimate CFP Contenders
Notre Dame has long been one of college football’s most storied programs, and under head coach Marcus Freeman, the Fighting Irish have experienced significant growth. As Klatt observed, Notre Dame’s recent win was a statement game, showing that they are a legitimate contender for a spot in the 2024-25 College Football Playoff.
One of the key takeaways from Klatt’s analysis is that Notre Dame’s success this season is built on a strong, balanced team. The Fighting Irish’s offense has been highly efficient, and quarterback Sam Hartman has been a key catalyst in their success. Hartman, who transferred to Notre Dame from Wake Forest, has quickly become one of the most impressive quarterbacks in the country. Klatt noted that Hartman’s ability to make quick decisions and throw with precision has been a major asset for Notre Dame’s offense. The Fighting Irish have a diverse set of weapons, including standout running back Audric Estime, who has been exceptional at controlling the ground game.
While Notre Dame’s offense has been impressive, Klatt was especially high on the team’s defense, which has been dominant all season. The Fighting Irish have a physical, aggressive defense that can stop both the run and the pass. Klatt highlighted the play of the Notre Dame front seven, which has been outstanding at controlling the line of scrimmage and getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Defensive coordinator Al Golden has done a fantastic job with the unit, and their ability to stifle high-powered offenses has been one of the biggest reasons Notre Dame has remained a top contender.
Another important factor in Notre Dame’s playoff hopes is their strength of schedule. The Fighting Irish have faced and beaten some tough competition in 2024, including several ranked teams. Klatt pointed out that Notre Dame’s résumé is already shaping up nicely, and they could be a major player in the CFP race, especially if they can continue to win out. As one of the few independent programs in college football, Notre Dame faces the challenge of not having a conference championship game to bolster their résumé. However, with several quality wins and the potential for more as the season progresses, Notre Dame has positioned itself well for a playoff berth.
Klatt also mentioned that Notre Dame’s success this season has been a reflection of Freeman’s ability to get the best out of his players. Freeman, who took over as head coach in 2022, has already proven that he can lead the program back into national relevance, and with the Fighting Irish playing at a high level on both sides of the ball, they are poised to make a deep run in the 2024-25 College Football Playoff if they can continue their strong play.
What’s Next for Ohio State and Notre Dame?
As the season moves forward, both Ohio State and Notre Dame face significant challenges in their respective quests for a College Football Playoff spot. For the Buckeyes, Klatt believes that their offense must find more consistency if they are to compete with the top teams in the country. Ohio State’s defense is already one of the best in college football, but as they face tougher tests in the Big Ten and in potential CFP matchups, the offense will need to rise to the occasion.
For Notre Dame, Klatt sees a team that is already hitting its stride. The Fighting Irish have the talent, depth, and coaching to compete with anyone in the country. Their defense has been a standout unit all season, and Hartman’s play at quarterback has helped elevate the offense. If Notre Dame can continue to play at this level, Klatt believes they will have a strong case for a playoff spot, especially given their challenging schedule and impressive wins thus far.
Joel Klatt’s Perspective on the CFP Picture
Joel Klatt’s insights into Ohio State and Notre Dame’s current standing in the 2024-25 College Football Playoff race are important for fans of both programs as well as college football enthusiasts in general. Ohio State has the talent to make another deep playoff run, but their offensive consistency remains a question mark. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s balanced attack on both sides of the ball and strength of schedule make them one of the most dangerous teams in the country.
Klatt emphasized that with the changing dynamics of college football—particularly with NIL and the ever-expanding transfer portal—it’s crucial for teams to be adaptable, and both Ohio State and Notre Dame have shown they can adjust to these new realities. Ohio State’s combination of a dominant defense and explosive offensive talent gives them a shot at the CFP, while Notre Dame’s ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball could carry them to the playoff as well.
As the 2024-25 College Football Playoff race continues to take shape, the next few weeks will be crucial for both programs. Ohio State’s ability to maintain its strong defense while improving its offensive execution will be key to their playoff hopes, while Notre Dame’s strong all-around play could lead them to a spot among the four teams vying for a national title. If both teams continue on their current trajectories, the 2024-25 CFP could feature two of the most exciting and well-rounded teams in college football.
In the end, as Klatt rightly pointed out, the road to the College Football Playoff is not easy, but with talented players, strong coaching, and a focus on consistency, both Ohio State and Notre Dame have what it takes to make a serious run at the national championship. It will be fascinating to see how the rest of the season unfolds for these two programs and whether they can keep their playoff hopes alive through the remainder of the year.
