The Wolverine

December 2019

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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DECEMBER 2019 THE WOLVERINE 65 W ith Michigan hosting Michi- gan State and Ohio State Nov. 16 and Nov. 30, respectively, Jim Harbaugh can help Michigan reclaim its title to The Big House these final three weeks. Prior to the Harbaugh hire, the Wolverines' defense of Michigan Stadium had been over- run by their opponents. After winning his first 19 home games as Michi- gan's head coach, Brady Hoke went only 4-5 in his last nine contests in Ann Arbor. None of those wins were notable because the best such one was against a Penn State program that mustered only a 2-6 conference record that season, and some of those five losses were against the likes of Utah, Minnesota and Maryland. It had become dour as Michigan often watched opponents celebrate victories on its Block M. Harbaugh, though, has worked hard to reinforce the perimeter and stone those opponents hoping to find glory at Michigan Stadium. Since Harbaugh's arrival in Ann Ar- bor, the Wolverines are 29-4 at home as of Nov. 11, which is the sixth-best home winning percentage (.879) among Power Five programs in that span. The only teams ahead of Michigan on this list are mostly the who's who of the College Football Playoff (Clemson, Ohio State, Ala- bama, Oklahoma and Penn State). Harbaugh hasn't built this home record against cream puffs either. Seven of Michigan's 29 home wins under Harbaugh were against teams in the Associated Press top 25 at kickoff, and six were against teams in the AP top 15 (Northwestern in 2015; Wisconsin in 2016; Wisconsin and Penn State in 2018; and Iowa and Notre Dame in 2019). Further- more, these seven wins exclude Michigan's home victories against Penn State and Colorado in 2016, each of whom were unranked when they played the Wolverines but finished the year No. 7 and No. 17, respectively, in the final AP poll. In five seasons, Harbaugh has re- established The Big House as one of toughest stadiums to play, as a place where it is expected that the Wol- verines will finish the day bellowing "The Victors." With two incredibly important exceptions: when Michigan State and Ohio State come to town. All four of Harbaugh's home losses are to Michigan's two biggest rivals. In 2015, the Wolverines bob- bled a win away against Michigan State when the Spartans returned punter Blake O'Neill's fumbled snap 38 yards as time expired for the game-winning touchdown, and Ohio State, a week after suffering an inexplicable loss to MSU and surrendering control of its destiny to repeat as national champions, took out its anger and frustration on Michigan with a 42-13 win. In 2017, Michigan slipped and stumbled against Michigan State as a 12.5-point home favorite, throwing 35 passes and committing five turn- overs in a monsoon during a stun- ning 14-10 defeat, while the Wolver- ines could not hang on to their early 14-point lead against the Buckeyes as third-string quarterback John O'Korn struggled to execute Harbaugh's bril- liant game plan in key moments. These four home losses have been used as fodder by those who criticize Harbaugh and what he has not ac- complished during his tenure at U-M thus far. Their focus has not been on the fact that he has guided the Wol- verines to one of the na- tion's best home records. Instead, it has been on his record against Michi- gan's rivals and efforts to beat the Spartans and Buckeyes. To an extent, though, it is understandable. How much can a football program brag about its home record if that team has failed to beat the most important oppo- nents on its home field? Not much. However, Michigan can render that question unnecessary by the end of November because the final two home games of the season are against Michigan State and Ohio State. The Wolverines will be expected to conquer the Spartans because, as of Nov. 11, they are a 13.5-point favor- ite. Yes, U-M was a significant favor- ite against them in 2017, too, but that season each school had only played four contests before that matchup. This year, both teams have played nine contests, and with those five additional data points, it has become clear that Michigan has been the superior team thus far, particularly as MSU is riding a four-game losing streak and coming off a humiliating 25-point collapse against Illinois. Ohio State, on the other hand, looks to be no school's subordinate. As of Nov. 11, the Buckeyes are unbeaten and ranked first in the nation in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Thus, if the Wolverines can slay the Spartans and upset the Buck- eyes, they will beat both of their rivals at home and have assembled one of the best home-field advan- tages under Harbaugh. And the expectation will be that Michigan will celebrate on its Block M after every home game. Regard- less of opponent, rival or not. ❏ INSIDE THE NUMBERS   DREW HALLETT Repelling Rivals From The Big House Under Jim Harbaugh, Michigan has gone 29-4 at The Big House for the sixth-best winning percentage (.879) among Power Five programs at home during that span. However, the four losses are against Michigan State and Ohio State. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Staff writer Drew Hallett has covered Michigan athletics since 2013. Contact him at drew.c.hallett@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @DrewCHallett.

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