UCLA Went 3-9 Last Season and Joel Klatt Says They're About to Shock College Football

Alright, football fanatics, get ready to feel something. Joel Klatt, the man with the plan over at Fox Sports, just dropped his stock picks for the 2026 college football season, and some of these calls are gonna make you double-take. We're talking about teams ready to make a massive jump, and some others, well, he thinks it's time to sell everything you've got. You know Klatt watches everything, so when he talks, we listen. This isn't just a casual prediction, this is a look at who's building something real for the future.

Emerald City's Take: Time to Load Up on These Bets

Klatt's got some serious buys, and honestly, after a rough 2025, I'm feeling some of these. First up: **UCLA**. Yeah, the Bruins. They were a dismal 3-9 last year, even fired head coach Deshaun Foster right before a game against Penn State. But Klatt is buzzing about new coach Bob Chesney, who just led James Madison to the College Football Playoff! Talk about a resume. Klatt says Chesney is a "really good coach" and the Bruins are getting a returning quarterback in Nico Iamaleava, plus over 40 incoming transfers. That's a huge infusion of talent and experience at the most important position, which could be the complete turnaround this program needs. Then there's **Florida**, another team Klatt is buying hard. They're ushering in a new era with Jon Sumrall, who also punched a ticket to the CFP last year, but with Tulane. Sumrall's got a ridiculous 43-12 career record as a head coach. Klatt flat out says, "This guy can coach." With Sumrall at the helm and a program that can attract and keep top talent, the Gators could finally climb back to being a "very good SEC program." And don't sleep on **Penn State**. Klatt sees the Matt Campbell era kicking off in a big way there. After running out of gas under James Franklin, Campbell, who was successful with Iowa State, now has way more resources. Klatt says there's a "high floor" here, and we all know what Campbell can do with a solid foundation.

Time to Pump the Brakes: These Stocks Are Dropping

Now for the teams Klatt thinks are due for a step back, and some of these are going to sting. **Ole Miss** is a sell for him. They made it to the CFP semifinals last year, and Klatt loved Trinidad Chambliss at QB. But he thinks they might have peaked. Pete Golding, who led them to the semis, is now head coach, but Klatt points out Golding retained an offensive staff that's "no longer there" and Golding himself "didn't want to be a head coach" and is now "thrust into this position." That's a recipe for some serious turbulence after a big run. **Illinois** is another Klatt sell. They've had 19 wins over the last two years, which is real sustained success for them. Bret Bielema is still there, bringing continuity, but their quarterback, Luke Altmyer, isn't. Klatt called Altmyer a "huge part" of their success, and replacing that kind of engine is tough. Finally, Klatt is selling **Vanderbilt**. They set a program record with 10 wins last year and nearly made the CFP, an incredible rebuild by Clark Lea. But Klatt thinks that might be their high point for now. Why? No Diego Pavia. He was the "entire energy, the engine to that 10 win team." Even with "elite level talent" coming in at quarterback, Klatt says it's "inexperienced talent." You don't just replace a guy like Pavia and expect to run it back. So, as we look ahead to 2026, these are the early reads from one of the sharpest minds in the game. It’s all about who’s building for the future and who might have peaked. The stakes are high for these programs, and it'll be fascinating to see if Klatt's crystal ball holds true when the lights come on.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.