Jim Harbaugh is leaving his mark. He is wearing out his welcome. Winning in the woeful Big Ten (except Ohio State and Penn State) is not the only thing.
He doesn't explain. He doesn't even show up for the games. I know, he is not allowed to. Whose fault is that? In an age when the NCAA lacks power and investigations drag on with little or no repercussions, he has been suspended for half the season.
What has he done? The schedule is a joke. Recruiting is at a standstill. Every day it is looking more likely that the season, the whole year, is nothing but foreplay. Sure it is an easy schedule, but we're looking toward the post-season.
I think they are going to lose to Ohio State next Saturday and the season will be over. The luxury of an extra Big Ten game will be gone as will the added game(s) and prestige of being one of the four best. There will be no more news and expectations. There will be a bowl and announcements about who will or won't participate and who is going to transfer. Attention will return to the declining recruiting class rankings. Who even knows anymore when the portal becomes active again at it may even be year-round.
There will be rumors or news either way of whether Harbaugh will stay or go, extension or nothing at all. My guess is the NFL attention was already waning and events this season cannot help. My attention, and I won't be the only one, will be nonexistent. It really seems most of the Michigan attention these days is negative; some of it is aggressively negative.. Fans complaining about the suspension(s) only make it worse.
Ah, but he didn't know. He doesn't know. What, exactly, does he know?
It is not until a Big Ten or NCAA investigation that anything is revealed.
Even the coaches on the other side--Josh Gattis--are sleazy ex-Michigan assistants. Tell us, Mr. Harbaugh, what is the problem? Why are FBI agents at your co-offensive coordinator's home? You hired Chris Partridge twice, why does he have such a problem with rules and investigations? You are Connor Stalions boss and hired him, why, why, why? It sure seems like a lot of people on your gigantic staff are in trouble or do dumb things... Sherrone Moore, I am not sure you are being put in a position to succeed nor are you ready to be head coach. For those who do not know, big-time college coaches, football and basketball, are despots and egotists. They have huge salaries, budgets, and power. Now Jim Harbaugh is even making the school's president and athletic director look bad for defending him.
Today, Sunday Nov. 19, Michigan is a 4-point favorite against Ohio State. That is equal or less than the home field advantage. I think, Ohio State will be better prepared and focused. That is because, watch and read above.
After the jump, the Maryland game.
Sunday morning and the replay. Michigan 31 Maryland 24. Yesterday--read above--I was more or less uninterested.
Earlier, I struggled to make a prediction or write much. I knew Maryland would come prepared and aggressive--playing to win. Their start to the season makes them confident as well as "punchy." I expected Michigan to be strong but with weaknesses exposed. One last caveat: my praise for the effort against Penn State even though I feel the Nittany Lions lost it, may have been misplaced. Michigan's no pass and sometimes barely moving on the ground offense may have been partially a result of desperation, i.e., which J.J. McCarthy will show up? In other words, it may not be a given that Michigan has the best quarterback in the Ohio State game.
My prediction would have included Tua Tagovailoa (25 years old) is explosive but he turns the ball over and can be rattled in the pocket. That proved true again. He said it himself in the pregame--he has never had a signature win.
This was the closest game Michigan has played this year (TCU was 12/31/22).
Tua's mistakes are probably the biggest reason Michigan won. He threw two interceptions, fumbled for a Michigan touchdown, had quite a few sacks, and an intentional grounding for a safety. The Michigan defense caused them and took advantage.
On offense, Blake Corum fought for every one of 94 yards; he was not stopped but running game was not dominant either. Stop Corum and you beat Michigan. J.J. McCarthy--a handful of effective passes, no runs, one interception and several passes that could have been, was average--average for an average quarterback, not someone with his ability. He was pounded more than a couple of times by Maryland and was supposedly hurt against Penn State too.
Ohio State
I have watched several Ohio State games this year. I haven't watched the 37-3 win over Minnesota, which is a similar score to Michigan's win (52-10). With TreyVeon Henderson they have a strong running attack. With their receivers they can score in a few minutes at any time.
Corum will get his 100 yards on 25 carries. Michigan will have to protect McCarthy and he has to help by running; he is the better passer and runner over Kyle McCord but Marvin Harrison and the Ohio State receivers make up for it. Likely, Will Johnson will partially contain Harrison. Henderson is back, healthy, and he had 146 yards against Minnesota, which does not bode well for Michigan.
I'm watching the Maryland game still. It was a one-score win. Michigan's offense under Sherrone Moore did almost nothing in the second half while the defense kept fighting. I don't feel Michigan has improved in recent weeks. I don't think they are peaking. They are not dominating on the ground or through the air. The offense must be more explosive, they are going to need more points, to win against the Buckeyes.
Ohio State is rolling. Michigan is in neutral, as if they are waiting for the next scandal and for Coach to come back. Maybe, just maybe, he won't be back while the season matters at all.
I see it as around 35-25 Buckeyes. The team needs a full-time head coach.
Mason Graham, dirty play. Lots of peons holding Michigan flags to shield the player meetings during timeouts. Too many distractions.
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