After another brutal loss, it’s fair to ask, will Jim Harbaugh even win the big game with Michigan football?
Michigan football and Jim Harbaugh had it within their grasp. As wide out Mike Sainristil crossed the end zone about mid way through the third quarter this past Saturday, the Wolverines appeared in complete control of their top-ranked matchup with rival Michigan State.
They were up 30-14 and appeared ready to bust the game wide out. Harbaugh would finally get his signature win.
Things changed quickly after the Wolverine’s final touchdown of the day. It was Michigan State that would emerge victorious, outscoring Michigan 23 to 3 in the games final 22 minutes. When the Spartans picked off quarterback Cade McNamara’s final pass to seal the deal, it may have sealed the fate of of Harbaugh.
Harbaugh has been in Ann Arbor since the 2015 season and has compiled a record of 56-23 overall and a 38-17 Big Ten record, about a .700 winning percentage. Pretty good overall but we all know the games he is not winning.
Harbaugh is 6-12 versus Ohio State, Michigan State, and Penn State.
First off the big one. He has yet to beat hated rival Ohio State, going 0-5 against the Buckeyes. The best outcome for the Wolverines in recent history has been avoiding playing the Buckeyes last season due to Covid issues.
With this latest loss to the Spartans, Harbaugh is now 3-4 against their in-state rival. Even against Penn State, not considered a rival but typically a top contender in the Big Ten East division, Harbaugh is just 3-3 and has lost three of the last four games to the Nittany Lions.
Harbaugh is 6-12 against the toughest three teams in the Big Ten East. Just so happens all of those teams have won a Big Ten title during Harbaugh’s tenure, with Ohio State winning the last four conference championships.
Another bad stat: Harbaugh has yet to win a top 15 road game, now 0-9 after the loss to Michigan State.
All of the Wolverines’ best wins during Harbaugh’s tenure have occurred at home. They also have not won a bowl game since 2016, a Citrus Bowl victory over Florida to end his first season.
The Wolverines have two New Year’s Six bowl appearances, both losses.
Back to the game versus Michigan State, the Wolverines outgained the Spartans by over 150 yards, had six more first downs and held the ball for nearly 10 minutes longer. None of it mattered because of what the scoreboard indicated at the game.
Harbaugh just cannot win the big game.
Michigan football will get another shot at Penn State on the road in two weeks, but it is also possible the Nittany Lions may not be ranked depending on their game with Maryland this week. The Wolverines of course will play the Buckeyes to end the season at home.
Can we realistically say the Wolverines will win those games? They will most likely be favored against Penn State and should win, but the Nittany Lions are at home and are trying to salvage their season. Ohio State has owned Michigan for nearly the entire 21st century. Until it actually happens, you cannot put your faith in the Wolverines beating the Buckeyes.
Athletic director Warde Manuel started his tenure at Michigan a season after Harbaugh was hired. Manuel did just ink Harbaugh to a contract extension this past January which keeps him at the school through 2025, although his base salary and buy out are some of the lowest in the Big Ten.
The contract does include a lot of bonus incentives although Harbaugh actually has to win some big games to earn those.
If the Wolverines close the season again with a loss to Ohio State and in a bowl game, Manuel really will have to think long and hard about Harbaugh’s future.
Do the Wolverines want to settle for good seasons, beating the teams they are supposed to but not beating the teams in big games? If they do then Harbaugh is their guy. But if they finally want to at least sniff their first Big Ten championship since 2004, it may be time for a change.