When Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh doesn’t really want to answer your question, he activates a default response at the press conference and repeats that phrase over and over again.
Harbaugh had one in line for questions about Saturday’s top 10 showdown between Michigan’s No.6 and Michigan State’s No.8 at Spartan Stadium (12 p.m., FOX) .
How much does he enjoy the first top 10 game between schools since 1964? What would a victory mean for the Wolverines? What would be the impact on recruitment in Mitten State?
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“Obviously, these are the kinds of questions that answer themselves,” Harbaugh said at his press conference on Monday. “A huge game for us. We are really excited for this.
Harbaugh is right. Michigan would improve to 8-0 with a win over rivals in State, reclaim the Paul Bunyan Trophy and stay in November with a mulligan in their back pocket ahead of the Nov. 27 showdown with Ohio State.
“It’s an elimination mindset,” Harbaugh said. “The playoff mindset at this point. Win this match and it will increase your chances. ”
Harbaugh’s hot seat talks have died down this season as USC and LSU have made coaching changes.
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Harbaugh rebuilt Michigan after hitting rock bottom last season with several new assistants. The defense ranks second in the FBS with 14.3 points per game behind Georgia. The Wolverines are fifth in the FBS in rushing yards with 253.3 yards per game. It is a return to the 70s formula that led to a surprising 7-0 start.
Running backs Blake Corum (729 yards, 10 TDs) and Hassan Haskins (602 yards, 10 TDs) were at the heart of it, and quarterback Cade McNamara led road wins to Wisconsin and Nebraska.
It’s hard to tweet about Harbaugh when the Wolverines are undefeated. Unless, of course, you live in Columbus.
Or East Lansing. The Spartans are also 7-0. Michigan State has a Heisman Trophy contender in Kenneth Walker III, and they’re at Spartan Stadium on fire to take out the Wolverines, just like last season.
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You can argue that this is the most important game for Harbaugh this season. Lose here, and the nastiness about not being able to win the big game returns. After all, Michigan hasn’t faced a ranked opponent and is 2-12 against the Top 10 teams under Harbaugh.
Michigan vs. Top 10 under Jim Harbaugh
| DATE | RESULTS |
| October 10, 2015 | # 7 Michigan State 27, # 12 Michigan 23 |
| November 28, 2015 | No. 8 Ohio State 42, No. 12 Michigan 13 |
| October 1, 2016 | N° 4 Michigan 14, N° 8 Wisconsin 7 |
| November 26, 2016 | No. 2 Ohio State 30, No. 3 Michigan 27 |
| December 30, 2106 | No. 10 Florida State 33, No. 6 Michigan 32 |
| October 21, 2017 | N° 2 Penn State 42, N° 19 Michigan 13 |
| November 18, 2017 | N° 5 Wisconsin 24, N° 19 Michigan 10 |
| November 25, 2017 | N° 8 Ohio State 31, Michigan 20 |
| November 24, 2018 | No. 10 Ohio State 62, No. 4 Michigan 39 |
| The 29 of December, 2018 | N ° 10 Floride 41, N ° 8 Michigan 15 |
| October 19, 2019 | N° 7 Penn State 28, N° 19 Michigan 21 |
| October 26, 2019 | N ° 19 Michigan 45, N ° 8 Notre-Dame 14 |
| November 30, 2019 | No. 2 Ohio State 56, No. 10 Michigan 27 |
| January 1, 2020 | N° 9 Alabama 35, N° 17 Michigan 16 |
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The five losses to Ohio State stand out, but that losing trend began with “Punt Fumble” losing to Michigan State in 2015. The moment is talked about the most, although that’s not the whole truth in the rivalry. since Harbaugh’s arrival.
Michigan can claim three straight wins at East Lansing. Harbaugh was 3-2 against Mark Dantonio, and it looked like the Wolverines were ready to take back control of the rivalry once and for all. Mel Tucker spoiled that last year in a 27-24 shock, and the Spartans look like a near-mirror image of their brother in the state.
“He’s doing a great job,” Harbaugh said of Tucker.
The rivalry between the coaches has lessened since Dantonio left, but that doesn’t mean both sides have forgotten the flashpoint of the modern chapter. Since former Michigan running back Mike Hart issued the “Little Brother” proclamation in 2007, the Spartans have a 9-4 head-to-head advantage. That still hasn’t changed the narrative of that Big Ten game.
Michigan is supposed to win this game. The Wolverines have been favored every year since Harbaugh’s arrival. Harbaugh hired Hart as his running backs coach this offseason, which adds another layer to this year’s game. Hart could be more heckled than Harbaugh at Spartan Stadium.
This is the one Michigan must have a little more than the State of Michigan. This is the biggest game between the schools since those other top 10 clashes, which took place between 1959 and 1964. Hardly anyone remembers it now. Everyone will remember the result of this match.
Win, and Harbaugh will have a month to prepare for that annual referendum against the Buckeyes, much like 2016 and 2018. Ohio State will be heavily favored when they come to Michigan Stadium. No one really expects the Wolverines to win this one, at least not right now.
Lose, and all those general program questions come back. Should Michigan cede the quarterback to rookie JJ McCarthy? Why does Harbaugh have a losing record against Michigan State after seven seasons? Is this talk on the hot seat again applicable?
Harbaugh will likely have an automated response for these, too.
But really, the questions will have answered on their own.
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