Joel Klatt blames Alabama's cultural shift under Kalen DeBoer for lower preseason rank than Michigan

Both Alabama and Michigan will be facing the spotlight in the 2024 college football season despite their national championship showdown last year. Both teams have lost names that were significant parts of their success in 2023.

Alabama has lost one of the greatest coaches of all time, Nick Saban, as the seven-time national champion announced his retirement on Jan. 10, 2024, ending his 17-year-long tenure with the Crimson Tide.

On the other hand, Jim Harbaugh decided it was time for him to move on in his career and is now the LA Chargers head coach. In addition to that, Michigan has also lost talent powerhouses J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum and 11 other NFL draft picks.

On his podcast "The Joel Klatt Show," Klatt explained his decision to put Alabama below Michigan in the 2024 preseason rankings.

"They're both changing head coaches, and yet one went from within and is not changing their culture," Klatt said. "You see, when you go to Alabama, you have this understanding that everything is different. Everything is different. Names, culture is going to be a little bit different. They are going to operate a little bit differently. At Michigan. You go to Michigan, and you walk in and you're like, 'Oh man, so everything's different.'

"They look at you cross eyed because they're like, 'No, nothing's changed. Every one is different, but nothing has changed.' That's a difference from Alabama. US, Michigan just beat Alabama, that's why I've got Michigan at No. 7. They're going to have to figure out the quarter basis, and I think that's the biggest question mark"

Will Sherrone Moore face suspension in 2024?

Michigan has been facing allegations of sign stealing and advanced scouting since last year. Owing to the scandal, Jim Harbaugh was also suspended for three games in 2023, and replaced by acting head coach Sherrone Moore.

Now the NCAA has issued a notice that might create a similar fate for Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore. According to the NCAA, Moore deleted more than 50 messages with Michigan's recruiting staffer, Connor Stalions, a Level II violation of their rules. Moore is among the seven members of the Wolverines team under ongoing investigation.

Michigan will be facing the spotlight heading into the 2024 college football season as the NCAA investigation progresses.