Fact or Fiction: Jim Harbaugh is done at Michigan
National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
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1. Jim Harbaugh is done at Michigan.
Farrell’s take: FACT. I don’t know how it will happen but it will. Jim Harbaugh has to be gone from Michigan. It’s just not working out and when alum like Brian Griese are calling for change publicly, then the pressure is on the administration. Whether it’s an amicable split or an outright firing, it’s time for this move to be made at the end of the season. This is a team that doesn’t compete.
Gorney’s take: FACT. This is part of a much larger conversation about realistic expectations and irrational and emotional decision-making, but here are some facts: Harbaugh won 10 games in three of his first four seasons, and then won nine games last year. The last time a Michigan coach accomplished that level of winning was Lloyd Carr in the late 1990s. Prior to that, it was Bo Schembechler in the late 1970s and into 1980.
There is this perception that Michigan is constantly in the national title hunt and constantly winning Big Ten titles, but that hasn’t been the case in at least 15 years. Ohio State has beaten Michigan 17 of the last 19 times. The numbers against Harbaugh are damning and could lead to his ouster, but also the expectations that Michigan would almost overnight become a national player because Harbaugh was coaching there were never achievable.
Believe me, I completely understand the frustrations when it comes to Harbaugh, his style and especially how the team looks on the field this season. It is not good. And for those reasons - and wildly high expectations - he will be gone soon enough. But I fear Michigan fans hoping Matt Campbell or Luke Fickell is the answer to all the Wolverines’ problems are drastically discounting just how far ahead Ohio State, Alabama and Clemson along with Oklahoma and maybe some others are ahead of Michigan right now.
2. Kyle Pitts and Devonta Smith should get Heisman consideration.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Kyle Trask and Mac Jones will be finalists for the Heisman, but they may not even be the best players on their own teams. Kyle Pitts is back from a concussion and coming off a three-touchdown game and DeVonta Smith was unstoppable against Auburn, a team that has shut down some good receivers. If the Heisman was about the best player, both would be in consideration.
Gorney’s take: FACT. A wide receiver has not won the Heisman Trophy since Desmond Howard in 1991 as the award now basically goes to the best quarterback in college football. The last tight end to win it was Notre Dame’s Leon Hart in 1949.
Smith has been unstoppable and is the best player on the best team - and Pitts could be one of the best tight ends we’ve seen in years. There are a lot of deserving quarterbacks and other players, but Smith and Pitts should get serious consideration as the sport’s best player.
3. Arizona State is a serious contender for Korey Foreman.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. While Arizona State is now on Korey Foreman’s list because of the NFL experience of the staff, I can’t see the Sun Devils as a true contender for the five-star defensive end. He’s either headed to the SEC at LSU, headed back to Clemson or he’ll end up at USC. It would be a stunner to me if the Sun Devils win out here.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I believe the hype surrounding this one after talking to Foreman and people close to his recruitment. USC is definitely a serious contender here, he has loved LSU for a long time and he was at Clemson this past weekend, but Arizona State is surging hard.
Foreman will sign on Dec. 16 and then announce his choice in early January during an All-American Bowl announcement ceremony. The five-star would be able to play immediately, he would be surrounded by former NFL players and coaches who have contacts in the league and he would be able to play in the Pac-12, but not necessarily be right down the road so he could grow as a person away from home. This reminds me a lot of Kayvon Thibodeaux, who decided to turn down the SEC to play in the Pac-12 and he’s thriving at Oregon.