Joel Klatt Names the Most Likely College Football Team to Make First Playoff Appearance

"Bret Bielema has built this team into what he wants," Klatt said. "Physical, tough, they win against South Carolina in the bowl game. They showed the level they can get to and that team that won that day is essentially all back."

Klatt noted that the Fighting Illini are bringing back 16 starters for this season—nine on offense and seven on defense. He believes the most significant returnee is quarterback Luke Altmeyer, who is entering his third season as the starting quarterback. 

Last year, he threw for 2,717 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. Klatt mentioned that historically, teams with a lot of returning production, especially at the quarterback position, tend to perform well in the following season.

In addition to Altmeyer, the entire offensive line is also returning. However, Klatt highlighted that the biggest question mark is at wide receiver, as Illinois lost its top two wide receivers from last year's team.

ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) does not have as high of a projection for Illinois as Klatt does. The FPI ranks Illinois as the No. 44 team overall and No. 12 in the Big Ten. It gives them only a 0.6% chance of winning the Big Ten and a 3.8% chance of making the College Football Playoff.

Despite these low projections, Klatt believes Illinois is the most likely team in college football to make the playoff for the first time in the program's history.