Joel Klatt understands Michigan has been able to hold serve with Sherrone Moore filling in for Jim Harbaugh during the head coach’s suspension. However, Klatt believes Harbaugh’s presence in The Game would have provided a major impact for the Wolverines against Ohio State.

During a conversation with Colin Cowherd, Klatt pointed to coaches having an impact on the demeanor of the players in a big-game environment. That is an area where Harbaugh is seasoned after a long coaching career and back-to-back wins in The Game.

“I think the head coach in situations like this, they play a big part more so than in normal games. When you get into these games, the head coach is so important for not only his decisions but his demeanor,” said Klatt. “Keeping people relaxed and focused, because the enormity of the situation can overwhelm players. Remember, these are still 19-22 year olds. And Jim Harbaugh has been a coach for decades. And he’s been successful wherever he’s been, he’s coached a Super Bowl against his brother.”

How does that impact Moore? According to Klatt, serving as the head coach in The Game is something Moore will not fully be able to prepare for ahead of time:

“This wasn’t going to bother him, he’s just won 2 times in a row. He wants to win, yes, but he is seasoned in a setting like that. And Ryan Day is, by the way, as well… He knows what to feel,” Klatt pointed out. “Sherrone Moore has been an acting coach 3 times. I would just argue as good of a coach Sherrone Moore is, he will have to face something he’s never faced before nor can prepare for… It’s just going to be different.

“In this type of game and the enormity of the situation, that has to be factored in.”