Part 5/9:
When asked to identify which teams have a shot at the national title, Clatt mentioned several elite programs, including Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and others from the SEC. He expressed skepticism about teams like Penn State, which have historically struggled to defeat top-tier opponents, suggesting that they must prove their mettle in high-stakes situations to shake off their reputation.
His criteria for evaluating playoff success involved winning playoff games—a marker Penn State hadn't achieved despite being included in discussions of top teams over the last few years. This continuing pattern reflects a broader trend wherein many teams have the talent, but few can translate that into postseason success.