FOX Analyst Explains Why Michigan Is the Biggest Threat to Ohio State & Oregon: ‘Nothing Has Changed’

Following a perfect season, an overwhelming majority of media pundits are writing off Michigan football‘s chances of winning the Big Ten for a fourth straight year.

Except for good ‘ole Joel Klatt.

On his weekly show, the FOX personality & broadcaster said the Wolverines are the biggest threat to top-ranked Ohio State & conference newcomer Oregon.

BREAKING: College football expert says defending champs, which return the bulk of their entire defense including multiple first-round draft picks, still have a chance to win their conference (again).

Seriously, it’s that time of year again, when everyone celebrates the offseason. And nobody sells the “this year is different” narrative better than Ryan Day.

It doesn’t take much historical data research – such as three-straight Big Ten titles & a 22-0 home record since 2021 – to realize Michigan will, in fact, compete with the top dogs and sweep their rivals once more.

Check out everything Klatt had to say about U-M’s chances in a loaded conference. 👇

Why the Buckeyes & Ducks Are No. 1 & 2

Klatt will later go on to spin this narrative from a different perspective. However, he started the segment by recognizing his top two preseason teams.

“Oregon and Ohio State are your favorites in the Big Ten,” Klatt said on his podcast. “I think the question is: Is there a threat to those top two?”

No arguments here from a preseason standing.

On paper, Ohio State is ridiculous with potentially 4-5 first-rounders this year and an unpredictable number long-term when considering stars like wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (freshman) & safety Caleb Downs (sophomore transfer).

But let me ask you this: Does that sound familiar? At this stage, Michigan has defeated the likes of C.J. Stroud, Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Denzel Burke, and a loaded senior class with zero wins against U-M.

Oregon, on the other hand, is a curious case. Despite the narratives surrounding PAC 12 football and its defenses – or lack thereof – head coach Dan Lanning has SEC roots and completely transformed the physicality of the Ducks program.

On top of that, they brought in a primary Heisman candidate via the transfer portal in Dillon Gabriel.

In their first year as members of the Big Ten, they’re neck-and-neck with the Buckeyes – and understandably so.

One problem, though: After a year spent as the perceived villain, Michigan is pretty good at being the underdog if that’s what the college football world wants to believe.

📅 LOOK: 2024 Michigan football schedule

Why Michigan Is Joel Klatt’s Biggest Threat in the Conference

“[Michigan] will be the biggest threat to Ohio State & Oregon,” Klatt said. “It doesn’t matter who’s left because they believe they’re the biggest threats; they believe they’re the kings of the hill; they believe that the conference goes through them.”

A spirited Klatt emphasized the self-belief the program is known for, highlighted in triumphant finishes against OSU in 2021 (as home underdogs) and their run to a national title a year ago.

“The other part of this is not just this self-belief, which kind of lives in the air. It’s also the tangible aspect of what Michigan does on the field,” he added. “They put you in a bind – they just do. They play such a different style of football than most teams.”

Klatt continued to highlight the unique qualities the program isn’t losing despite replacing a bevy of players & coaches.

“And I think, this year, it’ll be leaned into even more because they don’t have J.J. McCarthy to throw the football as efficiently as they did a year ago,” he said. “They’re going to lean into, as Coach Moore puts it: SmashBall. That’s going to be difficult for Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and USC because it’s not what other teams do.”

“This has been [Michigan’s] secret: Their toughness at the line of scrimmage over the last few years. I understand that Ohio State has a great secondary and edge rushers … BUT … does that matter if Michigan can run it 55 times?”

You can’t deny the talent Ryan Day puts on the field in Columbus. However, as we (and he) have learned over the last three seasons, talent alone isn’t enough to beat a Michigan team – no matter if it’s 2021, 2022, 2023 … and maybe 2024.

“You can walk around anywhere else in the country, people are talking about Ohio State & Oregon. In Ann Arbor, you walk into the building at Michigan and nothing has changed.”

“It’s the damnedest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Klatt said. “I go there for the spring game and I’m walking around, like man: New head coach, new coordinator, new strength coach, new quarterback; all the new, new, new … Donovan Edwards is looking at me like, ‘what do you mean, new? Nothing is new. Nothing has changed. We are Michigan.”

We’ll see how much this program has changed, if at all, soon. The Wolverines play their first game at home against Fresno State on August 31.