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Highlights Joel Klatt picked South Florida to defeat Tulane in the American Conference Championship on “The Joel Klatt Show” Wednesday. The Bulls would likely secure the Group of Five’s College Football Playoff bid with that win. Navy currently leads the conference but faces a difficult late-season schedule. The race for the Group of Five spot in the College Football Playoff is heating up, and Joel Klatt sees a potential surprise coming out of the American Conference. On the latest episode of “The Joel Klatt Show,” the FOX Sports analyst predicted that South Florida will rebound from its recent loss to Memphis and ultimately capture the American title, edging out Tulane to earn the Group of Five’s automatic CFP bid. “I think, even with the loss to Memphis, that South Florida has a good chance to get back into that Championship game,” Klatt said. “If they’re able to do that, I think they’re able to win that game.” Klatt’s forecast projects a Tulane–South Florida championship matchup. A USF victory in that game would likely secure the Bulls’ first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. “I can see Memphis possibly losing to a Tulane team that is really good,” Klatt said. “That would put South Florida in the American Championship against Tulane. I think if South Florida were to win that game, they would get the automatic bid from the Group of Five.” Despite blowing a 31-17 fourth-quarter lead in a 34-31 loss to Memphis last weekend, Klatt believes South Florida (6-2, 4-1 AAC) remains firmly in contention. The Bulls’ path to the playoff likely runs through a crowded conference picture that still includes Tulane, Memphis, Navy and North Texas. Navy currently leads the American standings at 7-0 (5-0 AAC) but faces a grueling November stretch with upcoming games against North Texas, South Florida and Memphis that could each decide who gets a shot at the playoff. Meanwhile, the Bulls will be in action on Thursday, Nov. 6 as they host UTSA. Kickoff is set for 7:30 ET on ESPN.
