Ask Farrell: Can Harbaugh still turn Michigan into a power?
When Michigan hired Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines faithful were certain that one of the proudest programs in the country would quickly return to past glory and greatness.
That has not happened.
On Saturday, Wisconsin completely outmanned, out-schemed and outgunned Michigan in what turned into an embarrassing and lopsided 35-14 victory for the Badgers that was not even that close. It was 35-0 late in the third quarter before Michigan scored a couple of meaningless late touchdowns.
That loss comes just two weeks after Michigan had to hang on in double overtime to beat an Army team that looked much more prepared than the team in maize and blue.
It’s always mentioned but it’s worth revisiting again: Michigan is 4-11 against top-15 teams in Harbaugh’s tenure and 0-8 in road and neutral-site games against those teams.
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Michigan has not beaten Ohio State since Harbaugh has returned to Ann Arbor, another gut-wrenching stat for Michigan fans everywhere.
There was supposed to be a new, faster offense this season but largely Michigan’s offense has been disjointed and it looked horrible in Madison on Saturday afternoon. This on a day when Ohio State scored 76 against a woeful Miami (Ohio) team.
Everyone points to Harbaugh turning around Stanford and he definitely did that. But he still only had a record of 29-21 there and the Big Ten is a different animal than the Pac-12.
At Michigan, Harbaugh is 40-15, more than respectable, but simply cannot win big games.
We ask Rivals National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell if Harbaugh is overrated as a coach or if he can still make Michigan a national powerhouse again and a playoff contender.
FARRELL'S TAKE
“I’ve flip-flopped on this a few times and I’m flipping back again. At first I said Harbaugh would never win a national title at Michigan. Then he drew me in, especially with the close loss to Ohio State in 2016, but I’m back to thinking he won’t get it done. Michigan looked horrible and so outmatched against Wisconsin that it was almost pitiful. I can’t see the Wolverines beating Ohio State or anyone very good this year. They seem to have regressed a bit with some lost talent and don’t seem to be able to reload like Ohio State and other great programs do.
"There are so many problems — offensive line, quarterback, team speed, injuries, key losses on defense — that this year won’t be the year. If not this year, then when? I think he either jumps to the NFL or gets fired before he ever wins the Big Ten.”