Just a couple of years ago, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh was on the hot seat,
incapable of beating rival Ohio State, not sniffing Indianapolis, nor the College Football Playoff.
Two years later, he’s being thought of as the top coach in the conference — something that wasn’t the case even a year ago,
with those honors tending to go to either OSU’s Ryan Day or Penn State‘s James Franklin,
depending on who was doing the rankings — though Harbaugh was generally slightly ahead of Franklin.
Crawford is absolutely right that Harbaugh needs a playoff win in order to solidify his standing.
He had a prime opportunity last year against TCU, but with some ill-advised coaching decisions,
quarterback mistakes, and other miscues, the Horned Frogs edged out the Wolverines, 51-45, in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
The maize and blue do enter 2023 with a loaded roster, most of the coaching staff returning,
and a breezy nonconference schedule. The opportunity is there once again this upcoming season.