Joel Klatt breaks down controversial Ohio State vs Oregon debate

Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt weighed in on the season’s most controversial debate: Ohio State or Oregon? The question has lingered over the two programs, and the nation, since the Ducks suffered their first loss against Stanford on Oct. 2. With the first College Football Playoff rankings on the horizon, the debate over which school has the edge is heating up.

“We are going to start having my least favorite conversation in CFB,” Klatt tweeted, just before getting deep into the topic. “What should matter more in the Ohio State/Oregon debate?”

Klatt offered two options to his own question, creating debate between the two sides. On one hand, Oregon beat Ohio State, making that the most important result of both team’s season. However, the other argument posits that Oregon’s later loss to Stanford weighs more, given the Cardinal is ranked lower than Buckeyes.

“Games matter,” said Klatt. “The question is which one?”

No. 5 Ohio State’s only loss through seven games came at the hand of No. 8 Oregon, while the Ducks lost to a Stanford team which received no votes in the latest AP poll. Despite Joel Klatt’s claimed hesitance to engage in the Ohio State vs Oregon debate, he offers his opinion over social media.

“Head to Head has to matter more,” Klatt posted. “Right?”

While the most recent AP Poll begs to differ, the thoughts of the CFP committee remain unknown until their first reveal of the season, which comes on Nov. 2.

Kirk Herbstreit weighs in (indirectly)

ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit indirectly contradicted Joel Klatt’s take with his updated top four after Week Eight. Herbstreit ranked the Buckeyes No. 2 in the nation, behind only the Georgia Bulldogs.

Ohio State had no issues against Indiana in a runaway 54-7 victory. Quarterback CJ Stroud continued his Heisman campaign, completing 21 of 28 passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns. Running back TreVeyon Henderson deserves Heisman consideration as well, and he had 81 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.

The Buckeyes have one of the best offenses in college football, and the defense held Indiana to ten first downs and 128 total yards. Herbstreit is high on Ohio State after Week Eight.

Without ranking Oregon inside the top four, or in the top six, he sent a pretty clear message about which team he believes sits higher. While his system is not correlated with the CFP committee’s decision, it does demonstrate the difference of opinion, even amongst the experts.