The time has come for Jim Harbaugh to beat the Ohio State

This is Harbaugh's luck. It's his year. And even if he does not say it, his players will do it. They already have. Damn, they do not just say it, they wear it.

As defensive forward Mike Dwumfour did when he arrived at the post-match press conference with a knitted hat embroidered with the phrase of the season:

"Revenge Tour 2018."

Dwumfour did not mention the tour Saturday night. He did not need it.

What was the message in the locker room, someone asked?

"It's in Columbus next week. We took care of the business. "

In case you're wondering, this message came from his head coach. Because Harbaugh knows. He needs to win.

To finally beat the Buckeyes. To win a place in the Big Ten title game. Bring this program back to the national stage in January, for a game that is more than pride.

"Forward," said Harbaugh.

As in, as he said, "Let's move on to the next. At the big game. The championship game. "

The first of many, he hopes.

Beat Ohio State and Harbaugh travel to the most anticipated place of his career when he was hired almost four years ago. Even though he does not want to think about issues like "peeling the onion" at the moment.

At least he does not want to think about it aloud. I do not blame him. He will neither do nor say anything that would detract from the tunnel-type focus that he instilled in this team and in this program.

Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer shake hands before the game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on November 26, 2016. (Photo: Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press)

"We will do what we do," he said. "It's ready for (the game). Expect our team to be really excited to play and do what it has done every week of the season. "

Motivation will not be a problem.

The red zone could be, if the offense can not find how to score more than once touched once it happened there. Defense could also be a problem.

Indiana found success on Saturday by throwing the ball at defensemen and receivers of slot machines that had fled in the middle of the field. The Hoosiers' midfielders also made some holes in the line of scrimmage.

In total, the Indiana offense has gained 385 yards, a disturbing figure considering that the Ohio State likes to … throw its skilled players in the middle of the field.

Yet, they are quips. U-M will not continue to win with 35 points.

In addition, there can be no excuse to go from there to Columbus, where U-M is likely to be favored and, frankly, should be.

They have the best team. the a lot best defense. And the Wolverines know it, even if they do not want to say it for the moment.

"It's been a whole year since we have a bad taste in our mouth," said defender Rashan Gary. "We have to go out and prepare the right way and go out on Saturday and see what happens."

See what happens?

I think that they know what will happen. At least they know what they think will happen.

And they should.

If they change their approach in the end zone and tighten the folds on the defensive front, they will find the good psychological point this Saturday afternoon in Columbus, where the Wolverines have not won since 2000.

It's been 18 years, according to my calculations. Damn near a generation. As a result, U-M's next game is not only the last chance to finish the regular-season round, but a chance to change the story of the rivalry.

"We know we have to win this game," said Dwumfour.

He is right.

They do.

They will have to play better than Saturday to do it.

Related: Finally, Michigan football can grab the attention of the Ohio State

TO CLOSE

Jim Harbaugh recapped Michigan's 31-20 win over Indiana, saying the Wolverines were in "playoffs." Registered November 17, 2018.
Nick Baumgardner, press