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Michigan Head Coach Jim HarbaughGregory Shamus / Getty Images
The only thing Jim Harbaugh and the No. 6 Wolverines of Michigan could not control in a 21-7 win over Michigan State, # 24, was the weather. However, close flashes only delayed the inevitable 80 minutes, with Maize and Le Bleu facing off for the second time in a row against a ranked opponent in the conference.
The final margin on the scoreboard does not scream "blowout", but it never seemed like the Spartans had a realistic chance of upsetting their rivals within the state. They did not take a single photo on Michigan territory throughout the first half. If Chris Evans had not failed to score 7 early in the second period, Michigan State would never sniffed the end zone.
Poor Brian Lewerke only completed five of the 25 passes and the Spartans finished the afternoon with 94 yards rushing. The last time that they took place under a distance of less than 175 meters, Alabama sank Alabama at the Capital One Bowl 2011. According to Sports-Reference, it was the first time that they were kept within 170 meters–even less 100–since at least 1999.
Needless to say, it was not your typical 14 point win. And coupled with the destruction of Wisconsin last week, it's time for Harbaugh's enemies to put a sock in.
The Wolverines with the Paul Bunyan TrophyAl Goldis / Associated Press
From the time he was hired as Wolverines head coach, Harbaugh was hailed as the savior of the program. After all, he took a 1-11 team to Stanford and turned the cardinal into a title contender in four years. It was even quicker to revitalize the San Francisco 49ers, ending an eight-year playoff drought with stays in the NFC championship game in each of his first three seasons.
He could surely overturn a Michigan program that had averaged 6.6 wins in seven seasons before he arrived, right?
Well yes and no.
Michigan is undeniably better under Harbaugh. He is now 35-12 with the Wolverines and has led them into the Top 7 AP in three consecutive years–a plateau that they did not reach once in 2008-15.
Two years ago, they missed the four-inch college football final in a double-overtime loss to Ohio State. Until this year, the Wolverines are firmly engaged in the discussion for one of the four coveted national semifinal places.
Still, Harbaugh does not manage to shake the labels "overestimated" and "can not win the big one".
It started with the Utah defeat in its debut in 2015, and skeptics have grown in volume and vitriol with each losing their record from 1 to 7 against the top 10 teams in the AP. Unsatisfactory recruitment rankings in 2015 and 2018 further fueled the flames of discontent.
No doubt these people will be quick to say that Wisconsin and Michigan State are not so good as any of these, unless the Wolverines are able to win this match on the colossal road against Ohio State on next Saturday Thanksgiving.
It's a valid argument (albeit a tired one), but let's correct this view with some harsh and cold facts:
- Michigan has just won a road match against an opponent ranked for the first time since September 16, 2006 (Notre Dame No. 2) by taking a series of 17 losses.
- Michigan has just defeated its opponents ranked in consecutive games for the first time since October 25-November. 1, 2003 (No. 10 Purdue and No. 9 State of Michigan).
- Four of the Big Ten's five opponents threw for 100 yards or less, and all eight Michigan opponents were held within 210 yards.
- With 220.0 yards allowed per game, Michigan is poised to have the most radical defense since the Alabama team in 2011 (183.6 yards allowed) which has limited its 12 FBS opponents to 14 points or less.
- And with its best quarterback for at least a decade, Michigan outscored its last seven opponents by 228 yards on average.
Say what you want about the past, but this team is currently an elite and wins games that it has constantly lost long before Harbaugh takes over.
As a result, wolverines–despite the loss of opening season to Notre Dame–are unbeaten in Big Ten (5-0) and are on the short list of teams that control their own destiny in the CFP.
Shea PattersonGregory Shamus / Getty Images
After a week off, Shea Patterson and Co. will host a Penn State team in the midst of a three-game challenge (against Iowa, Michigan, vs. Wisconsin). Win that one (as it should), and they'll be able to walk for two games against Rutgers and Indiana before the big Horseshoe trip.
Michigan will certainly be the underdog of what announces itself as the biggest match of the college football season again. But with this impenetrable pass defense and the Buckeyes struggling strangely to run the ball this year, anything is possible.
We must not be late for ourselves, but it should be noted that Michigan is probably the best hope of the country to stop Alabama. No, the Wolverines did not face any Tua Tagovailoa. But if there is a secondary player capable of mastering it, it is he who has limited three opponents in a row to seven complete passes each.
Harbaugh is one of the best coaches in the game today, but he clearly has a team that can win everything.
Kerry Miller covers college football and college basketball for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @kerrancejames.
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