“THIS CAN’T GO WRONG”: Joel Klatt Turns Up the Heat on Sherrone Moore—Bryce Underwood’s Arrival Puts Michigan’s New Era Under Intense Scrutiny
ANN ARBOR, MI — There’s no hiding from the pressure now. The honeymoon is over, and Michigan football is officially on the clock.
FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt didn’t hold back this week when discussing the Wolverines’ upcoming 2025 campaign. On his nationally syndicated Joel Klatt Show, the veteran college football voice laid it out in stark terms: first-year head coach Sherrone Moore is facing intense scrutiny, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
“They need a bounce-back year desperately,” Klatt said, sending a strong message not just to Moore, but to the entire Michigan fan base still riding the emotional rollercoaster of Jim Harbaugh’s departure, a turbulent 8-4 season, and the looming expectations attached to one of the most hyped quarterback recruits in program history—Bryce Underwood.
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From National Title to National Uncertainty
Less than two years removed from a national championship, Michigan now finds itself at a crossroads. Harbaugh’s jump to the NFL left a leadership void. The roster has been thinned out by NFL Draft declarations. And suddenly, the Wolverines aren’t a sure thing—they’re a mystery.
Joel Klatt, who’s followed Michigan closely for years, made it clear: the grace period is over. The Bryce Underwood era has to deliver. Immediately.
“This can’t go wrong,” Klatt emphasized. “Bryce is a generational talent. But that doesn’t guarantee success. If the staff doesn’t manage this transition perfectly, they risk wasting what should be a game-changing moment.”
It’s a bold statement. But is he wrong?
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Sherrone Moore: A Coach in the Spotlight
Moore is no stranger to pressure. He stepped in admirably during Harbaugh’s multiple suspensions in 2023 and helped guide the Wolverines through some of their toughest Big Ten matchups. But leading a few games and running the entire program are two very different things.
Now, with Harbaugh gone and the spotlight solely on him, Moore has no room for missteps. Klatt warned that the challenge ahead isn’t just tactical—it’s cultural, emotional, and deeply rooted in the expectations of a fan base that’s grown used to winning.
“Moore has to rebuild a locker room, develop a true freshman quarterback, and compete with heavyweights like Texas and Ohio State—all in one season,” Klatt said. “That’s not a learning curve. That’s a cliff.”
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Bryce Underwood: The Chosen One
At the heart of the pressure cooker is Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class. Hailing from Belleville, Michigan, Underwood committed to the Wolverines in a moment that sparked hope across the state.
He’s got the tools: 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, a strong arm, elite pocket presence, and the ability to create off-script. His high school résumé speaks for itself—3,165 passing yards and 41 touchdowns in his senior season alone.
But with hype comes pressure. Michigan isn’t easing him in. Underwood is expected to start Day 1.
Klatt praised his talent but issued a warning: “Even with all that ability, a freshman QB needs help. Michigan can’t ask Bryce to save them. They have to support him with structure, playmakers, and maturity.”
That puts pressure on the rest of the roster—a group still trying to find its post-Harbaugh identity.
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An 8-4 Season Still Looms
Michigan’s 2024 campaign ended with a thud—8 wins, 4 losses, and far too many questions. Gone were the offensive dominance and defensive grit that defined the Harbaugh era. In their place: inconsistency, breakdowns, and missed opportunities.
Now, expectations shift from winning national titles to simply proving the program hasn’t regressed. And Moore’s ability to turn things around will hinge on how quickly he can establish a new culture.
“This is a transition year on paper,” Klatt said. “But in reality, it’s a proving ground. Fans, media, and even recruits are watching. If they stumble early, the whole narrative shifts—and fast.”
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️ A Brutal 2025 Schedule
Moore’s path won’t be easy. The 2025 slate is brutal, with Texas and Ohio State standing tall as two of the most dangerous teams in the country.
Michigan will also face new-look Big Ten foes USC, Oregon, and Washington, all of whom bring explosive offenses and dynamic quarterbacks. There’s no soft landing. Underwood and Moore will be tested from the jump.
“If they start slow,” Klatt warned, “people will question everything. The coaching hire, the staff decisions, the development of Bryce. The pressure won’t just increase—it’ll explode.”
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⚠️ The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
It’s rare for a freshman quarterback to carry a program’s fate on his shoulders. But that’s exactly the position Underwood finds himself in. And by extension, Moore.
Klatt compared it to other recent QB transitions—like Caleb Williams at USC or Quinn Ewers at Texas—but made clear that Michigan’s context is even more delicate.
“You just won a national title two years ago. You landed the top QB in the country. You kept your staff mostly intact. There are no excuses. This has to work.”
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A Message to the Michigan Faithful
Klatt’s comments struck a chord because they reflect a growing tension: Michigan fans know what success looks like. And they also know how quickly it can fade.
Sherrone Moore doesn’t just have to win games. He has to prove that Michigan remains elite without Harbaugh. He has to manage a freshman quarterback without letting expectations crush him. And above all, he has to protect the future of the program.
Because if this Bryce Underwood era starts off wobbly, the ripple effects could be felt for years.
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BOTTOM LINE: The talent is there. The pressure is real. And as Joel Klatt said, “This can’t go wrong.”
Michigan’s new era begins now—and the spotlight has never burned brighter.
