The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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14 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 13.7 13.7 Is where JIM HARBAUGH ranked, on average, in three rankings of the nation's top college football coaches heading into the 2020 season, done by CBS Sports (No. 12, third among Big Ten coaches), 247Sports (No. 18, fifth) and Sporting News (No. 11, third). "Harbaugh has elevated Michigan into a better program, and the Wolverines have been on the cusp of Big Ten champi- onships the past five years," Sporting News' Bill Bender wrote. "The rub, of course, is an 0-5 record against Ohio State and a poor track record against top-10 teams. Success in those games will get Harbaugh back in the top 10 on this list." 32.4 Reception percentage allowed by redshirt sophomore VINCENT GRAY last season, which was best on the U-M roster. He was targeted 37 times, which was third highest on the squad, but allowed just 12 catches for 192 yards and two scores. No other cornerback in the nation allowed fewer catches on at least 250 coverage snaps (Gray had 266). He also gave up just 42 yards after the catch, which ranked sixth na- tionally among such defenders. Gray's 22.2 coverage snaps per reception ranked third nationally at his position, better than first-team All-Big Ten honoree Lavert Hill's 18.4. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL BY THE NUMBERS "It's been easier for people to focus on what Jim Harbaugh hasn't been able to do at Michigan since returning to Ann Arbor to take over at his alma mater. In his five sea- sons, he hasn't won a national title. He hasn't won the Big Ten, nor has he won the East division. Perhaps the most important thing he hasn't done in the eyes of many is beat Ohio State. "What he has done, however, is raise expectations. Harbaugh's teams have gone 47-18. While not good enough for some, it's much better than the 46-42 mark Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez had during the seven sea- sons they were in charge. Harbaugh's teams have won at least 10 games in three of his five seasons, the first time the program has done that since a stretch from 2002 to 2006." — CBS Sports college football writer Tom Fornelli 94.2% (49 of 52) of players who have started eight or more games on offense or defense under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan signed NFL contracts. 2nd Tier among coaching jobs is where Michigan falls nationally, according to ESPN.com. Michigan and others included in the category were deemed to have "access to top-300 recruits; no major limitations around facilities, coaching salaries or support staff; the ability to win a national title occasionally and compete regularly for conference cham- pionships; consistent top-20 finishes (recent or long term." Nine programs were listed among the top tier, featuring four from the SEC and one from the Big Ten (Ohio State). Tier two included eight schools, including Midwest/ Big Ten rivals Notre Dame and Penn State, in addition to U-M and season-opening foe Washington. "The Wolverines clearly have an Ohio State problem, but coaches still view the job positively, given the program the U-M brand still wields," Adam Rittenberg wrote. "The SCHEMBECHLER HALL Renovations add sizzle, and Michigan has increased coach pay and other support. But can Michigan compete nationally with one title since 1948?" PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL