Joel Klatt breaks down Michigan’s strength as CFP contender

Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt has little doubt that Michigan is a contender for the College Football Playoff. Coming off back-to-back appearances, Klatt thinks the Wolverines have looked the part so far.

And amid a 4-0 start, Klatt doesn’t have too many outstanding worries about the Wolverines ability to compete on the national stage. His lone worry: They can be vulnerable if the game script goes awry.

“The only time that I get nervous or anxious for Michigan is when they get outside of being the boa constrictor. 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,” Klatt said, referencing his cutoff line for playoff contenders.

Nowhere has Michigan emulated a constrictor more than on defense through four games. Michigan has the top scoring defense heading into Week 5, giving up 5.75 points per game. Michigan has yet to give up more than 7 points in a game this season and the defense has generated five takeaways so far. The competition has been paltry, but the Wolverines defense has subsequently dominated.

Offensively, it’s been a little less flashy but effective nonetheless. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been sharp in three of four outings and the running game has started to churn along. Right now, the Wolverines have the No. 53 scoring offense nationally, good for just shy of 32 points per game.

And while Michigan might not win in blowouts or takes some time to pull away, Klatt has no doubts this team can show up and hang with anyone, so long as they don’t get forced into a track meet.

“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. 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,” Klatt said.