Michigan Has Edge Over Hurricanes, Fighting Irish in CFP Race, Joel Klatt Says

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Michigan Has Edge Over Hurricanes, Fighting Irish in CFP Race, Joel Klatt Says

Key Points:

  • Joel Klatt spoke on Michigan’s CFB chances
  • Notre Dame, Texas and Miami are competitors
  • Klatt is bullish on Michigan’s chances

The Michigan Wolverines are 8-2, 6-1 in the Big Ten heading into Saturday’s mid-afternoon game against the Maryland Terrapins in College Park, giving coach Sherrone Moore’s team a chance to accomplish all of its preseason goals.

Moore’s team has losses to Oklahoma and USC on its ledger with two big opportunities in front of it against the Terrapins and Ohio State Buckeyes.

On Wednesday, Fox Sports color analyst Joel Klatt shared his thoughts on the Wolverines’ College Football Playoff hopes and what gives Moore’s team a leg up on two of its biggest competitors.

Nov 1, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore walks off the field after the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Klatt Bullish on Michigan Playoff Hopes

Klatt shared his thoughts on how a 10-2 Michigan team with a win over Ohio State under its belt would compare to 10-2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Miami Hurricanes teams.

He said that a win over the Buckeyes would be the best in the country and chose the Wolverines over the two-loss Hurricanes and two-loss Fighting Irish in a hypothetical scenario.

“In the event Michigan wins (over Ohio State), they win an argument over a 10-2 Miami (and Notre Dame),” Klatt said.

“If, for some reason, Michigan does beat Ohio State and they’re 10-2, then you can start to look at their resume and their eye test different than you would Texas, because Michigan would be coming off of six straight wins, they would have beaten the clear number one in the country by the committee’s standards, and you look up and you’re like, ‘That’s the best win in the country,'” Klatt said, casting doubt on the Longhorns’ chances unless they beat Texas A&M before the end of the season.

Fans Share Takes on Klatt Message

Fans gave their responses to Klatt’s message on X.

“Ohio State is gonna smash Michigan,” one person said.

“Eye test? Struggling with Purdue, Northwestern, New Mexico. The eyes won’t lie. Just depends on what propaganda you want to spew,” another added.

“Wrong because Notre Dame beat USC who blew out Michigan,” another said.

“You seem to forget that they would then play in the Big Ten Championship Game and get beat by Indiana,” another added.

The Wolverines won three straight Big Ten Championships and a National Championship before last season, Moore’s first in Ann Arbor.

Michigan went 7-5, capping off its season with wins over Northwestern, Ohio State and Alabama.

“There is zero chance they leave UofM out if they finish 10-2,” another added.

“Don’t tell Notre Dame fans this,” another said. “They value strength of losses.”

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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