Joel Klatt breaks down what makes the 2023 Michigan football team so special

Michigan football is widely recognized as one of the leading programs in the nation as we approach the 2023 college football season. The Wolverines’ recent achievements, both on the field and in recruiting, attest to their success. After a challenging COVID year where they finished with a 2-4 record, Michigan bounced back impressively, securing consecutive Big Ten titles and more. The praise for the Wolverines doesn’t end there; college analyst Joel Klatt, an influential figure in the sport, has been effusive in his admiration of the team leading up to the 2023 season.

Michigan football finds itself at the top of the Big Ten in 2023

In a recent interview on ‘The Herd‘ with Colin Cowherd, esteemed college football analyst Joel Klatt broke down what makes the 2023 Michigan football team so special — a team that is poised to capture the program’s first national title since the 1997 season.

As devoted Maize and Blue fans are well aware, Jim Harbaugh has orchestrated an impressive turnaround for the Wolverines in recent years. They went from a disappointing 2-4 start to the decade to securing consecutive Big Ten titles. Moreover, Michigan football has earned a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff for two consecutive seasons, and their sights are set on returning to the playoff this winter.

Joel Klatt calls the Maize and Blue the “class of the Big Ten”

Still, Joel Klatt says that both the 2021 and 2022 seasons were surprising as a college football analyst, which may speak volumes about how the 2023 team is looking.

“So this is what is so fascinating, is that I would classify both of the last two wins for Michigan as upsets,” Joel Klatt said about Michigan football beating Ohio State in 2021 and 2022. “And even just last year, I don’t think that Michigan beats that Ohio State team six out of 10. I think they might beat them three or four out of 10.

“Like I’m not saying it’s drastically a difference but you saw in the game against Georgia with Ohio State, like the talent level is very clear. There’s some things that happen that game, not taking anything away because Michigan did have an identity and they beat Ohio State thoroughly. What I am trying to say though, is that I don’t think that would be the case if they did it a third time.”

As the 2023 season approaches, Michigan football has ascended to the top, displacing Ohio State. The Wolverines are aiming to secure their third consecutive victory over their arch-rivals. According to Klatt, the Maize and Blue have established themselves as the “class of the Big Ten,” further emphasizing their dominance within the conference.

“They have a team that is likely going to be favored to win the Big Ten East, is going to be ranked higher than Ohio State to start the year and they’ve beat them their last two games,” Klatt continued. “So your initial premise is that there’s not an argument. You can’t push back against that. Who’s the class of the Big Ten? Currently, today as we speak, it’s Michigan. And that’s even with the talent that Ohio State has accumulated over the last few years.

“Michigan does have the clear identity and it’s an identity by the way, that is specifically to beat Ohio State. They target them and they specifically look at them and they’re like what we do, gives you trouble. And that’s what’s so fascinating about it.”

The fact that Michigan football has a clear identity, one that was established specifically to win the conference, makes the Wolverines special right now. Until Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines are taken down, the Maize and Blue run the Big Ten and likely will for years to come.

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