It was nearly nine years ago that Jim Harbaugh returned to his alma mater a conquering hero.
Hours after he was introduced as the next University of Michigan football coach, he wore a University of Michigan shirt, baseball cap and Harbaugh's trademark khakis at a December basketball game at Chrysler Arena. A “khakis out'' event was held by fans wearing pants.
Greatness was expected. The championship was supposed to follow.
“You want to sit at the big boys' table,” Harbaugh said at the time. “This is what we signed up for and this is what I signed up for.”
Nearly a decade later, the University of Michigan is led by a controversial coach who has spent almost as many games this season suspended (six) and spent on the sideline (seven). , earned a coveted spot at the table. Love him or hate him, unless you're a Maize and Blue believer, you're probably in the latter category, and it's impossible not to at least respect Harbaugh.
The team showed incredible determination by defeating Alabama 27-20 in overtime in the Rose Bowl on Monday, advancing to the school's first national championship since 1997, which will be played in Houston on January 8. Not after I had qualified. That wasn't after he flipped the script on his tenure, going from underwhelming in his first six years to underwhelming in his last three. . He turned the Ohio State rivalry on its head and despite spending all this time away from the team, the Wolverines are 60 minutes away from winning. Now, it's clear he's a big part of the reason for that — the first suspension came from the school amid an investigation into alleged recruiting violations, the second for a sign-stealing and in-game scouting scandal in the Big Ten. — But it also speaks to the job the University of Michigan has done to remain united without its leader.
“It was almost an unfair advantage considering everything the team has been through,” Harbaugh, 60, said after the University of Michigan's biggest win in more than 20 years. “We don't care anymore. We don't care what people say. We don't care what happens. We just know we'll get through it.” .”
Remember, Michigan was a slighted favorite. Alabama was a team no one wanted to play. A video has gone viral showing the Wolverines barely looking satisfied with the College Football Playoff announcement in early December, showing the Crimson Tide coming off an upset of the University of Georgia.
Michigan wasn't able to play the same schedule as Alabama, and had little to show for it down the stretch. They weren't the overwhelming favorites to beat Ohio State over Thanksgiving weekend either.
Harbaugh's team has continued to win despite the allegations, despite the signing scandal that rocked college football and led to Harbaugh's second three-game suspension, including the Ohio State game. The Wolverines refused to let that get in their way. They defeated the SEC champions on New Year's Day, winning for the first time in three tries in the College Football Playoff when the defense stuffed Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe on a keeper on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line in overtime.
“We're very much together, very connected,” Harbaugh said on ESPN. “We will overcome whatever comes our way.”
Michigan will be the favorite to win the game against Houston on January 8th, whether it's Washington or Texas, and it absolutely should be.
Michigan dominated the first 30 minutes of the game, outscoring Alabama 197-96 and sacking Milroe five times. Alabama was limited to 2.5 yards per carry. The Crimson Tide should have been leading by more than three points, but mistakes and missed opportunities kept the Crimson Tide close.
During the long break, Alabama coach Nick Saban made significant adjustments, most notably going to the run game to neutralize Michigan's pass rush. Meanwhile, the Wolverines' offense was shut down. Quarterback JJ McCarthy lacked accuracy and Alabama didn't run the ball well against Michigan. Even though Milroe fumbled and set up the Wolverines at their own 49-yard line early in the fourth quarter with a four-point lead, Michigan couldn't capitalize.
Alabama appeared to have regained control. Michigan had other ideas and showed a steel jaw when absolutely necessary. McCarthy made the game here, leading Michigan on a monumental 75-yard, eight-play drive that pulled the Wolverines away with 1:34 remaining. McCarthy ran for 16 yards and completed 3-of-4 passes for 60 yards, including a brave fourth-and-2 conversion at his own 33. He scored the final 14 points of the game and stole the game-winning clock.
This was a game the University of Michigan hadn't won in a long time. Sure, the Wolverines had won three straight against Ohio State, but they didn't make the playoffs. Last year, they missed a golden opportunity against Cinderella TCU, but humiliated Georgia in the title game.
The Bulldogs, who finished off the University of Michigan season two years ago, are out of the playoffs this time around and are in the way. The University of Alabama defended them and the University of Michigan defended the Crimson Tide, giving the schools a chance to play in the national championship for the first time in 27 years.
What will happen after January 8th is unclear. There are rumors that Harbaugh could move to the NFL after reportedly finding a new representative in NFL agent Don Yee — still missing the big contract extension offered by Michigan. I haven't signed it.
But at this point, no matter what else is going on, it's hard to pick a player to play against the University of Michigan in a week's time. On the first day of 2024, it answered the bell for the first time in a while. Harbaugh has put the Wolverines at the big-boy table, as he promised nine years ago.
