One common thing about that big maize and blue clock on the wall is that it never stops ticking and right now it’s ticking down to high noon on Saturday, Sept. 2. That’s when the Wolverines take their high expectations and lofty goals out on the field for the 2023 season opener against visiting East Carolina.
There is more than just enthusiasm and hope taking the field in Ann Arbor this fall. The Wolverines will be playing against and with some very high expectations both at home and nationally. U-M is ranked second in the AP college football preseason poll with Georgia a dominant No. 1 and Ohio State third and Alabama fourth.
Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh, facing the media on Tuesday in the Towsley Museum at Schembechler Hall, didn’t exactly take a knee when talking about how good his club has looked in fall practice. When asked if there were any players who have stepped up and stepped into bigger roles, Harbaugh pulled out a roster because “there have been quite a few.”
Harbaugh talked about both the offensive and defensive lines and how good they have looked in fall camp. Since games are won (and lost) up front, the depth on the U-M lines is certainly a positive and “that kind of good” news is another indication that this team is ready to roll.
As you would expect, Harbaugh says the high ranking means nothing to him because his focus is on getting the team ready and not reading preseason predictions. “I’ve just been really locked in on this football team and trying to make the day the absolute best day, even if it’s an off day,” he said. “We’re out there grinding as coaches and going over film from yesterday and tomorrow getting the scripts ready and making that the best day of camp. That’s where my head is at.”
Michigan has gone 17-1 in the Big Ten the last two years, including a pair of wins over Ohio State. The Wolverines went 13-1 last year, falling to TCU 51-45 in the Fiesta Bowl National Semifinal game. They defeated Purdue 43-22 in the Big Ten Championship Game.
In 2021, Michigan took a 12-1 record into the National Championship semifinals, falling to Georgia 34-11 in the Orange Bowl. They defeated Iowa 42-3 in the Big Ten Championship Game.
This season, the Big Ten has three teams in the top 10 with Penn State at No. 7 and the Wolverines will face both the Buckeyes (Nov. 25 in Ann Arbor) and Nittany Lions (at Penn State, Nov. 11) this season. They also face MSU in East Lansing on Oct. 21.
Harbaugh has liked how his players and coaches have gone about their business this fall with a focus on what’s in front of them and with that positive attitude of winning the day. He has certainly liked the demeanor of everyone in the football family.
“We’ve had a lot of people through and one in particular who was in our meetings and practices said this is vibrant,” Harbaugh said. “I can’t get that word out of my head. That best describes the vibe, the mentality. It’s infectious. Can’t help not picking up on that. That was well-defined. It’s vibrant. They take that from the meeting rooms to the weight rooms to the practice field, to the stadiums.”
Harbaugh believes this team is “further ahead” in preparation than previous teams he’s coached.
“It’s a first to have the first scrimmage in the stadium be as good as it was,” he said. “Every season I’ve coached, every season I’ve been part of as a player, doing that first scrimmage in the stadium and guys forget. It wasn’t like that at all (this time). It was the same vibrant energy, execution and I even commented to the team that I’ve never seen anything quite like that. It’s good. They’re further ahead and it’s a credit to the coaches and the players themselves and their focus.”
Harbaugh is in his ninth season and has a 74–25 (.747) record at his alma mater. His mentor and former coach Bo Schembechler went 194-48-5 (.796) with 13 Big Ten Championships.
We will leave you with one of Harbaugh’s dad’s mantras that his son lives by – and this should really fire up every Michigan fan. “Attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. It just frames it right there. Attack each day, attack this day, with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. Living by it daily. Been good. It’s worked.”
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