Joel Klatt accuses ESPN of SEC bias toward Ohio State-Iowa roundup

The tension between Ohio State fans and ESPN isn't exactly new.

For years, Buckeye Nation has bristled at any perceived slight from the network, particularly when it comes to the SEC.

Just ask Joel Klatt.

After Ohio State University's 35-7 win over Iowa, many people were divided over how ESPN's David Hale, writing a humorous look back at that week's college football week, characterized Ryan Day's team's latest win. In a headline titled “Slow day for top teams,” Hale paired OSU with Georgia, Oregon, Ole Miss and Iowa State, but his report, which was just a microsummary of Saturday's events, has come under fire.

Hale's summary of Ohio State's win over Iowa included the phrase, “It had to feel like a loss for the Buckeyes,” like pouring gasoline on an already simmering fire.

No. 3 Ohio State: Had little trouble defeating Iowa 35-7. Still, it had to feel like a loss for the Buckeyes, who are the first team to allow points to Iowa's offense since Michigan gave up two touchdowns in a win over the Hawkeyes in Week 5 of 2022.

ES(ec)P(in) is next level propaganda. pic.twitter.com/tizmGffHEz

— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) October 6, 2024

In addition to Klatt, college football personalities like Josh Pate and Doug Lesmerises not only questioned whether the screenshot was photoshopped, but also complained that ESPN was suing for “another indication of the underlying bias and misperception at CFB.” was called.

I actually thought it was photoshopped

— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) October 6, 2024

Iowa would definitely face Vandy and Arkansas, the teams that defeated Alabama and Tennessee yesterday.
It's a little blurb from someone trying to go over the entire sport, but it's just so wrong that it's another indication of the underlying bias and misperception in CFB. https://t.co/DRTYLxtKjD

— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) October 6, 2024

But Klatt in particular took the gloves off and said that they (ESPN) aren't even trying to hide it anymore, and if you say it – like he did here – he's simply called a “SEC hater.” ” in return.

They don't even hide it, and if you see it and flaunt it, you're a “SEC hater.”

OK

cool story! https://t.co/zghWI4LZD5

– Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) October 6, 2024

Maybe Klatt comes across as an “SEC hater” in passing, but that’s not his point here.

The Fox Sports anchor's frustration stems from a larger issue: the perception that ESPN consistently crafts its narrative to benefit the SEC while undermining other conferences, particularly the Big Ten.

Many fans have long suspected that there is an inherent bias in college football coverage on the major networks, particularly when it comes to shaping the national conversation. And it will always be difficult for ESPN to avoid the conversation when they pay the SEC billions for a 10-year rights deal and run the SEC Network. (The same should be true of Fox, which is also the majority owner of the Big Ten Network in addition to its own rights package.)

And whether or not it is fair or based in reality that ESPN would use a paragraph on ESPN.com to advance an agenda favored by the SEC, that existing perception is what Klatt pointed out here.

(Joel Klatt)