Scarlet Sunrise: Joel Klatt discusses whether Ohio State, Michigan are in another 'Ten Year War'

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Joel Klatt discusses whether Ohio State, Michigan are in another ‘Ten Year War’

Michigan won its second straight game against Ohio State back in November, including its first in Columbus since 2000. The Wolverines have claimed back-to-back Big Ten titles and have made two consecutive College Football Playoffs. So the question was posed to FOX college football analyst Joel Klatt: Is another “Ten Year War” upon us, or has it maybe already started?

Before we go any further, a quick refresher: The “Ten Year War” marks a period of time between 1969 and 1978 when Ohio State’s Woody Hayes and Michigan’s Bo Schembechler battled for Big Ten supremacy and, often, a trip to the Rose Bowl. It started with the Wolverines upsetting the Buckeyes in 1969, derailing Ohio State of a potential repeat national championship.

“I would argue that the win for Michigan — not this year but last year — started a new period within this rivalry where we get a little bit more, let’s call it parity, competitiveness, whatever you want to call it,” Klatt said on his show this week. “Because, before that, the last two decades, it hasn’t even really been close. It had been totally dominated by the Buckeyes.”

Klatt continued: “Now, two straight years we’ve seen Michigan win. One at home, one on the road in Columbus. And so I think you can make an argument that like, ‘Hey, we’re entering into, or we’re now currently in a period where this thing is salty. And there is a serious rivalry.’ And I would agree with that. I would absolutely agree with that.”

Klatt conceded that this iteration likely won’t last 10 years due to the nature of today’s college football, a sport that slows down for no one and is seemingly ever-changing.

As for a rejuvenated rivalry leading to more national titles between the programs, well, Klatt isn’t so sure that’s possible. He noted that recruiting dominates college football right now. Although Michigan has built momentum in its series with Ohio State, the Wolverines are still lagging behind in recruiting, relative the sport’s perennial contenders, that is.

The Buckeyes, meanwhile, have the recruiting to get there. But that’s no title guarantee, of course.

“I don’t think we are getting into a period where you’re going to see many national championships between Michigan and Ohio State,” Klatt said. “Now could that change? Maybe. And the only maybe comes in because we don’t know how conference re-alignment and the expansion of the Playoff is going to affect parity in college football moving forward.”

Highly-ranked Buckeyes tailback target James Peoples joins The Tim May Show

The Tim May Show took on a different yet equally intriguing format this week. While on the road visiting family, longtime Ohio State reporter Tim May stopped by Veterans Memorial High School to interview 2024 top-100 running back prospect and San Antonio native James Peoples, who has the Buckeyes in his top six.

Peoples has relatives in the Youngstown and Cleveland areas, so he’s had an interest in Ohio State for years despite living in Texas.

“When I was little, I always loved Ohio State,” Peoples told Lettermen Row. “My family’s up there. I’d go up there. We see games and stuff like that. But being a fan, me being an athlete and what I’m looking at, really what their facility and coaching staff really can offer me when I go — and their support system. They offer NIL, but also supportive people are put in place for me academically, athletically. They offer a family-base like we have here. You want to go somewhere you feel like it’s a family and they accept you. That they help nurture you, grow you as a man and as an athlete.

“And I think that’s what Ohio State is doing and what they’ve done with their athletes.”

To learn more about the No. 6 back in this cycle and why he’s considering Ohio State, watch below.

NBA mock draft roundup: What’s the pulse on Brice Sensabaugh’s prospects?

Since a dominant New Year’s Day win at Northwestern, there hasn’t been much to be excited about when it comes to Ohio State hoops. The Buckeyes’ free fall has been well documented.

But one silver lining is the stardom of freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh, who is fourth nationally among all freshmen in scoring with 16.5 points per game. Sensabaugh arrived in Columbus as the No. 54 overall Class of 2022 prospect, according to the On3 Consensus, but the former four star has emerged as a first-round NBA Draft prospect because of his pure scoring ability.

Like Malaki Branham last year, Sensabaugh could be Ohio State’s next one-and-done. If the 6-foot-6, 235-pound wing does indeed leave for the NBA, where might he land in this year’s draft?

For a roundup of the latest mock drafts, plus analysis, go here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 192 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 276 days

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