On Monday, Fox College Football analyst Joel Klatt released his Top 25 with the defending national champions the Georgia Bulldogs leading the pack. And while Klatt had high praise for the Bulldogs, two teams that are also in the running for a championship are Michigan and Alabama.
Although Klatt likes both teams, he seems more optimistic about Michigan’s chances of winning a national championship than Bama’s.
"Jim Harbaugh is returning what I think is going to be his best team at Michigan." 📈@joelklatt's top 25 preseason rankings: #2 @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/t9DmvuBX6o
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) August 7, 2023
“Michigan has a lot going for it; Jim Harbaugh is returning what I think is going to be his best team,” Klatt said. “He’s got a quarterback back, he’s got the best running back tandem in the country. They’ve got an offensive line that is as good or better than any offensive line in the country, and they got a couple of really good transfers.”
Klatt also said that the Wolverine’s defense is better now too.
As for the Crimson Tide, Klatt likes their chances too, despite having question marks at the quarterback position, yet despite that, he says don’t bury the Tide just yet.
“Alabama has recruited at too high of a level,” he said, and he also noted that Alabama hasn’t finished outside the top 2 in recruiting in the last 5 years. “What I get concerned about with Alabama is not their roster, is not their defense taking a step back, it’s the fact that their quarterback is a concern, judging by the fact that after spring ball they had to bring in a transfer in Tyler Buchner. That tells me they weren’t ecstatic about what (Jalen) Milroe was able to do on the field against Texas A&M last year and in spring ball. That tells me that they’re unsettled at the position.”
The Tide comes in at No. 4 on Klatt’s top 25. Rounding out the top 5 is Georgia at No. 1, Michigan at No. 2, Ohio State at No. 3, Alabama at No. 4, and Penn State at No. 5.