Joel Klatt has been Fox Sports’ lead college football game analyst since 2015. With over a decade of experience, he’s seen his fair share of standout performances. In July, Klatt revealed the top five individual showings he’s ever called.

With Klatt’s connection to Fox Sports, he naturally leaned into performances from players who played in the Big Ten or Big 12. Alas, he didn’t favor either side, with multiple players from each storied conference.

Additionally, Klatt included both offensive and defensive performances. With so much to cover, let’s dive into Klatt’s rankings.

For the first choice on his list, Klatt cheated a bit, choosing two performances from the same game. In fairness, they were both so fantastic, it’d be unfair to leave one off his list. In Ohio State’s 44-31 win over Penn State, Marvin Harrison Jr. torched the Nittany Lions’ defense, tallying 10 catches for 185 yards.

JT Tuimoloau was equally destructive on the other side of the ball. The star defensive end finished the game with six tackles and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Tuimoloau also forced and recovered a fumble in the win.

Entering “The Game” on Nov. 27, 2021, Michigan had lost eight consecutive meetings against Ohio State. Wolverines defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson wasn’t going to allow the Buckeyes to add another tally to that streak.

In Michigan’s 42-27 win, Hutchinson was a force of nature. He recorded seven total tackles, including three sacks. When he wasn’t sacking CJ Stroud, he was making him uncomfortable. Hutchinson recorded 15 quarterback pressures in the victory.

When great performances emerge in great games, something magic happens. Baker Mayfield was nothing short of a wizard in Oklahoma’s 62-52 win over Oklahoma State in 2017. The Heisman Trophy winner erupted for 598 passing yards and five touchdowns, compared to two interceptions.

Mayfield also scored a touchdown with his legs in the all-time Bedlam showdown. Mayfield looked downfield all game, averaging 16.6 yards per pass. Mayfield’s 598 passing yards are still the most in a single game in Oklahoma history.

The world couldn’t wait to see what Deion Sanders‘ Colorado team would do. On Sept. 2, 2023, the Buffaloes delivered, and nobody shined brighter than Travis Hunter. In 24 hours, the two-way superstar became a household name with his performance against national runner-up TCU.

Hunter hauled in 11 catches for 119 yards in the win. After shredding the Horned Frogs’ defense, he’d step onto the other side of the ball and guard TCU’s best receivers, and even logged an interception. Hunter’s coming-out party was a game that football fans won’t forget anytime soon.

Tavon Austin is the only player in Klatt’s rankings who didn’t win the game he’s listed for. Nonetheless, Austin’s legendary performance couldn’t be omitted. Austin, who was a wide receiver, was forced to play running back for the Mountaineers due to injuries on the team.

He stepped up to the challenge, racking up a ridiculous 344 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Further, he reeled in four catches for 82 total yards. To this day, college football crazies still watch highlights from the game and gawk over one of the best individual performances of all time.