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Analyst identifies a weak spot for Michigan football

Joel Klatt thinks that he has found a key flaw with Michigan football that could hinder the Wolverines’ CFP hopes.

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Michigan football, Jim Harbaugh, legal dispute, Big Ten Conference
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh signals for a two-point conversion after a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half of the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Since the start of the 2021 season, Michigan football is 29-3 overall, with a pair of Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff appearances to show for it. So far this fall, Michigan is 4-0 (1-0 Big Ten) with a few solid victories under its belt heading into Nebraska this weekend. Still, according to analyst Joel Klatt, the Wolverines have a worrisome weakness, which he identified on a recent episode of The Joel Klatt Show.

Analyst identifies a weak spot for Michigan football

Joe Klatt is one of the most respected voices in college football right now, and according to him, Michigan football has a pretty notable weak point that has him worried about the Wovlerines’ playoff and national title hopes.

Sure, Michigan football can win the Big Ten by being a “boa constrictor” and winning the time of possession battle, but what happens when the Wolverines are locked into a dog fight like last year’s Fiesta Bowl against TCU?

From Joel Klatt:

“The only time that I get nervous or anxious for Michigan is when they get outside of being the boa constrictor,” Joel Klatt said of Michigan football ahead of this weekend’s game against Nebraska. “When that happens, then they get into a game like they had against TCU in which they turned the ball over, they get out of their mentality. They try things, in particular inside the 10-yard line, that they shouldn’t be trying, and all of a sudden, you get beat.

“But when they are in their identity and when they are playing to their strengths, they’re one of those teams that is just ridiculously difficult to beat. That’s an obvious above-the-line team.”

Still, Klatt thinks that Michigan football has a shot at winning it all. The Wolverines may not be the prettiest program out there, but Michigan has one of the top rosters in the sport right now.

“This is one of those teams that, while they might not be top-end talent, one of the best rosters, they are one of the deepest rosters in college football,” Klatt continued. “When it comes to blue-chip, four-star players. Rinse and repeat what I just said about Texas about Michigan in terms of what they are at the line of scrimmage. This team is a boa constrictor. It might not always be pretty, and sometimes it’s a little bit slow, but guess what? Once they wrap themselves around you, it’s over. Over. And they’re totally comfortable being in tight games in the third quarter because they know, eventually, it’s a wrap. It’s a wrap.”

Michigan football looking to down Nebraska this weekend

This weekend, we’ll get our first look at Michigan football in action on the road when the Wolverines take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers tomorrow afternoon. With the team’s perfect record on the line, Jim Harbaugh back from suspension, and a lot of veteran leaders on this year’s team, expect the Maize and Blue to come out swinging on Saturday.



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CJ has covered college athletics in paid roles for around five years, including numerous sports and beats. His most recent work revolves largely around Penn State and Michigan football and basketball as a member of the credentialed media at both schools. Right now, CJ writes for Blue by Ninety, where he also serves as the site's credentialed football reporter. He also does some credentialed basketball coverage. Previously, CJ has made stops with sites like GBMWolverine, Saturday Blitz, Steeler Nation, and more.

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