Joel Klatt focuses on key difference maker in Georgia vs. Michigan

The Georgia-Michigan matchup is expected to be one of the very best games of the 2021 college football season. Both rosters are loaded with talent and there’s no question this year’s Capital One Orange Bowl should be an absolute classic. FOX’s Joel Klatt thinks the matchup will come down to Josh Gattis, the offensive coordinator for the Michigan Wolverines.

“I actually think that this game is going to be, really about Josh Gattis, who just won the Broyles Award by the way as the best assistant coach in college football. He’s the offensive coordinator for Michigan. And I thought that he came into his own this year in a really big way. Namely the fact that, in past years, I thought he got a little pass happy. And then early this year, it was like boy you can tell he’s just trying to run the ball as much as possible–60, 65 percent,” Klatt said on The Herd with Colin Cowherd.

“But then at the end of the year it was like the marriage of the two. And he used it beautifully down the stretch. In particular against Ohio State, when it’s like, don’t get bored with something that’s working. So he ran the ball 20 times, only threw it four times in the second half because Ohio State could not defend it,” he said.

“And yet in the previous games, down the stretch, he was throwing the ball 52 percent of the time. And [Cade] McNamara was throwing for over 300 yards. So now all of a sudden they have the combination of the ability to throw the ball and the ability to run and be physical,” he said.

“And I think that combination is gonna be difficult for Georgia. I don’t think Michigan can just come in and say we’re gonna run the ball because that’s our identity. But when you are balanced and have the ability to throw the ball with play-action, hit a couple plays down the field with some good wide receivers that have come into their own. Then, all of a sudden, you get back and you pop a run. Wow, you’ve got something going,” he said.

Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis has been loyal to J.J. McCarthy

Gattis has had some beautifully called games this season, and the Big Ten Championship against Iowa and the Ohio State games were true masterpieces. You cannot take those performances away. He’s a huge reason why Michigan is where they are.

Klatt makes great points about Michigan’s offensive balance and the problems that should pose for Georgia, or any of the other teams in the College Football Playoff, for that matter.

One thing Klatt failed to mention is that Gattis continues to roll out freshman quarterback J.J. McCarthy in critical moments of games, when he cost his team the Michigan State game with a costly fumble. He fumbled another time, but Michigan regained possession.

The future is certainly bright for McCarthy and he’s going to be a special talent at the college level, but the margins for mistakes are incredibly, incredibly thin in the College Football Playoffs, especially against a defense like Georgia’s.

It’s clear the Michigan coaching staff is loyal to playing McCarthy in the big moments, regardless of the price they’ve paid for it in the past. This Michigan team is truly capable of winning the national crown. Fans better hope Gattis’ loyalty to McCarthy doesn’t end up biting them in the upcoming College Football Playoffs.

Michigan faces Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 31. The game is in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM EST.