TTUN has Joel Klatt's attention ahead of "The Game" this weekend in Ann Arbor. With the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes coming to town, the Wolverines have Klatt's confidence that they're an improved team at this point in the season.
Klatt gave game-changing running back Jordan Marshall and highly compensated freshman phenom quarterback Bryce Underwood credit for improving and powering 1/2 of a team coming into its own ahead of the Week 14 regular season at "The Big House."
"Michigan beat Maryland on the road, 45-20. That's the most points Michigan has scored in a Big Ten game this season. So now all of a sudden this offense starts to get cranked up. By the way, with no Justice Haynes — the running back had that foot surgery — and no Jordan Marshall. Coach Sherrone Moore said [Marshal] probably could have played, but did not. And they were really efficient running the football. They were really good throwing the football. Michigan continues to get better and better, more balanced, and those young guys are getting a lot of experience," Klatt said.
"Ohio State vs. Michigan on Big Noon Saturday on FOX — massive game, I love this game, it's my favorite thing that I get to do in this profession. I love this game, I love this rivalry, and it's finally here. This is the best week of the college football season."
Could Klatt be hyping up TTUN to get viewership up on a game that currently features a double-digit spread in favor of the Scarlet and Gray? Absolutely.
Are the Wolverines still not a team to take lightly for a Buckeyes team that hasn't been tested since August? Ditto.
This game, The Game, is what the Buckeyes have been chomping at the bit all season for. This is the prove-it win that puts to bed any doubts about the program's less-than-scary schedule this past season; a fault for that sitting with the Penn State Nittany Lions, and the UCLA Bruins in particular for underperforming so drastically.
Besides the Texas Longhorns, OSU's opponents haven't been taken seriously as College Football Playoff preparation. Convincingly putting away the Maize and Blue in front of their home fans, and continuing a winning streak that's been active since that dreadful 13-10 upset at the "Shoe" last November.