Saturday’s matchup between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan is the biggest matchup of the college football season thus far, featuring two undefeated teams playing for a spot in the Big Ten championship and more importantly, a near-unassailable claim to a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Given the high stakes, tensions were heightened for fans of both programs, and some frustrations eventually boiled over on social media against color commentator Joel Klatt, who is calling the game on Fox alongside play-by-play man Gus Johnson.
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
The criticism of Klatt largely came from his insistence that a Michigan touchdown was close to being ruled an interception. Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy had split two Buckeyes defenders with a bullet of a throw, connecting with receiver Roman Wilson for the score. But as Wilson fell to the ground in the end zone, Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke met him, tore at the ball, and ultimately ended the skirmish with the ball in his hands.
“Boy, I tell you, I don’t know if he totally controlled that with the element of time necessary to make that a catch,” Klatt said while taking a look at the replay.
Was this a TD catch for Michigan or nah? pic.twitter.com/cBzycDrlQa
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 25, 2023
The score was ruled a touchdown on the field, and the ruling was upheld after review.
While there was certainly room for disagreement on the play, fans still laid into Klatt, some arguing that he was too openly pulling for Ohio State in the game.
No idea what Joel Klatt is talking about. Did he bet on Ohio State?
— Jack McGuire (@JackMacCFB) November 25, 2023
Wtf is Klatt talking about. Wilson had it for 3-4 steps and then broke the plane.
— Stephen Osentoski (@StephenToski) November 25, 2023
Joel Klatt is showing his OSU bias. His commentary is *ridiculous*
— Bhavik Lathia (@bhaviklathia) November 25, 2023
I love Joel Klatt. Best analyst in the business. But this is the rare L for him.
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) November 25, 2023
Had control when he crossed the goal line, and it was ripped out after.
That was a billion percent a touchdown.
Joel Klatt you are being nonsensical. He carries that ball like 7 yards into the EZ and is DOWN before the ball comes out. We do not need to re-write the rules this much.
— Halbridious (@Halbridious) November 25, 2023
Joel Klatt thinking that was an interception is wild.
— OTG (@the_otg) November 25, 2023
Why is Joel Klatt trying to make this even questionable lol
— V. (@Vee_Martian) November 25, 2023
Ohio State would respond later in the second quarter with a touchdown of their own, but the Wolverines still took a 14–10 lead into halftime.
