Michigan football used the first two months of the season to set themselves up for a College Football Playoff run. Can they cash in with a strong November?
It’s somewhat overzealous to say that Jim Harbaugh was on the hot seat to start the 2018 season, but he had his vocal critics who implied he had to get it done this season, and what has he done? He’s run Michigan to a 7-1 record, the only loss coming to Notre Dame, who is currently ranked No. 3 in the initial College Football Playoff poll. The Wolverines came in at No. 5 and have a lot to show for it.
Following the loss to Notre Dame, which was really only doomed by a poor first quarter by the Michigan offense, the Wolverines have dominated almost every opponent on their schedule. Their statement wins as of now are their 38-13 demolition of then 15th-ranked Wisconsin, and their hard-fought win against in-state rival Michigan State the weekend after. The Wolverines have Penn State this weekend and then Ohio State the Saturday after Thanksgiving, as is tradition.
Defensively, there is no team in college football that is better than Michigan, as they rank No. 1 in pass defense and total defense, No. 8 against the run, and No. 6 in points per game. Full of defensive stars such as Chase Winovich, Devin Bush and Tyree Kinnel who have terrorized opposing offenses, even without perhaps their best defensive player, Rashan Gary. There are some great things that could happen in the month of November for the Wolverines.