Michigan seized that momentum and played in Indianapolis for the first time in the Big Ten Championship against Iowa. The Wolverines dispatched the Hawkeyes 42–3 to win their first Big Ten title in 17 years.
The 2022 offseason brought uncertainty to Wolverine fans. The biggest question was about Harbaugh’s future.
Harbaugh had bet on himself in 2021 and won. Would he sign a large contract extension or would he take his talents back to the NFL?
It appeared he was on his way out. Harbaugh made the odd choice of interviewing for the Minnesota Vikings job on National Signing Day in February.
Jim Harbaugh once made National Signing Day a Michigan spectacle. Now he's interviewing with the Vikings. The NFL is his future. If not in Minnesota, then likely somewhere. At least he isn't hiding it. https://t.co/vyxvxlR1KS
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) February 2, 2022
This was a tough look. A head coach was openly interviewing for another job on a day where coaches are supposed to be welcoming newcomers who will represent the university for the next four to five years.
Harbaugh did not get the Vikings job and instead signed a new contract to remain at Michigan. Where some fan bases may have been irate or felt betrayed, Harbaugh was welcomed back with open arms by the Michigan administration and fan base.
Jim Harbaugh called Michigan to inform the school that, despite interviewing with the Vikings today, he will be returning to school for the 2022 season, sources tell ESPN. Michigan was, in the words of one source, “elated” to get Harbaugh’s decision.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2022
Michigan again has everything in front of it in 2022. The Wolverines are currently undefeated and control their path to another Big Ten championship. Their non-conference schedule was weak and doesn’t look like it will improve much in 2023.
This is comically easy. https://t.co/a5ifISeZBH
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 26, 2022
That’s OK though. As long as Michigan continues to win, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee will award the “0″ in the loss column. The Wolverines should be favored and probably by double digits in four of their final five games.
Michigan State has long been a thorn in Harbaugh’s side, but the Wolverines should be too talented to be worried about the Spartans, Rutgers, or Nebraska. Illinois should be an interesting game.
Head coach Bret Bielema has the Fighting Illini at 6–1 with their sights set on a Big Ten West title. Again, the Michigan talent should be able to wear down the Illini. That leads to “The Game” on Nov. 26.
Harbaugh and the Wolverines were feeling great after last year. Should Michigan win a second straight over the rival Buckeyes — this time at the Horseshoe — then Harbaugh really can ask, “who’s got it better than us?”
Here’s the Big Ten West 7-Way tie scenario with 4-8 Northwestern winning the Big Ten West. It involves Northwestern going 1-8 then rattling off three straight wins. Enjoy!!!
Green = Win
Red = Loss. pic.twitter.com/3e87cgndhg— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) October 24, 2022
It’s hard not to love the Sickos Committee. It turns out that there is a way to get Northwestern to win the Big Ten West and break a 7-way tie for the top spot. This would even make the ACC Coastal blush.
The Big Ten announced this week that 2023 will be the final year for divisions. Once USC and UCLA come in 2024, the league will go to some new format or pods.
You have to wonder when or if any of the current seven from the West will make a Big Ten Championship game again. The line has to form behind the Buckeyes, Wolverines, USC, and more than likely, Penn State.
Our picks were rough last week. Maybe going with gut isn’t the right path. It’s like golf — those few wins keep bringing you back.
The first contest below is set for Friday. The rest will take place on Saturday.
🎟 Lousiana Tech (-6.5) 🆚 Florida International
📍 FIU Football Stadium
⏰ 8 p.m. ET
📺 CBSSN
💰#EverLoyalBe
The best thing FIU has going for it was the Miami Vice-themed field. Don Johnson isn’t coming to save them against Sonny Cumbie and the Bulldogs.
🎟 Ohio State (-15.5) 🆚 Penn State
🎟 TCU (-7.5) 🆚 West Virginia
📍 Milan Puskar Stadium
⏰ 12 p.m. ET
📺 ESPN
💰#GoFrogs
TCU keeps finding that second-half magic after spotting their opponent’s big first-half leads. West Virginia’s struggles continue.
🎟 Notre Dame 🆚 Syracuse (-2.5)
📍 Carrier Dome
⏰ 12 p.m. ET
📺 ABC
💰#GoCuse
Gary Gait brought in an impressive freshman class this season…Sorry, wrong sport. Notre Dame owns the Orange in lacrosse. Not so much on the gridiron Saturday.
🎟 Oklahoma State 🆚 Kansas State(-1.5)
📍 Bill Snyder Family Stadium
⏰ 3:30 p.m. ET
📺 FOX
💰#GoPokes
The Cowboys found a way to avoid penalties and a loss last week against Texas. K-State blew an 18-point lead and got beat up by TCU. Head coach Mike Gundy and the Pokes keep their hopes of returning to Arlington alive.
🎟 Kentucky 🆚 Tennessee (-12.5)
🎟 Michigan State 🆚 Michigan (-22)
📍 Michigan Stadium
⏰ 7:30 p.m. ET
📺 ABC
💰#GoBlue
Harbaugh has struggled against Michigan State. He is 3–4 against the Spartans and 0–2 since Mel Tucker took over in East Lansing. He takes the Spartans to deep water this year.
🎟 Ole Miss (-2.5) 🆚 Texas A&M
📍 Kyle Field
⏰ 7:30 p.m. ET
📺 SEC Network
💰#ComeToTheSip
Ole Miss disappeared on offense and defense after a fast first-half start against LSU last week. Texas A&M season has gone up in smoke (allegedly). Players are being suspended and entering the transfer portal en masse. Lane Kiffin gets revenge for last year’s loss to Jimbo Fisher.
Last week ATS: 3–7
Overall: 31–45–2
Grab your 🍿 and enjoy the games!
1 comment
This is a solid read. I was a little late to the party on this one and honestly forgot that Harbaugh was out there looking for other jobs at one point. They boys are rolling though and although we lost Haskins last year is the O-Line even better this year?