How much will Michigan miss Jim Harbaugh on the sideline vs. Ohio State?
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When toe meets leather for this year’s Michigan-Ohio State game, one central figure to the modern day rivalry will be noticeably missing.
Jim Harbaugh is set to serve the final game of his Big Ten-issued suspension on Saturday (Noon, FOX), leaving the third-ranked Wolverines without their head coach for the biggest game of the season.
Harbaugh’s absence has become commonplace this year for Michigan (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten), who has weathered two separate NCAA investigations to find itself in another winner-take-all scenario. The coach was suspended three games by the school to start the season, a punishment he begrudgingly fulfilled, and was then slapped with another three-game ban to end the season by the conference
The program is accused of violating the Big Ten’s sportsmanship policy with a lengthy, detailed sign-stealing scheme that spans multiple years. As a result, Harbaugh, who has denied any knowledge or involvement in the scheme, was barred from entering the stadium for Michigan’s recent wins over Penn State and Maryland.
“It’s been tough; not just even this game — these last two games,” Michigan running back Blake Corum said Monday. “Coach Harbaugh means so much to this program, but especially to myself and the guys. He’s formed a culture here; he’s a players’ coach. Great guy. We love playing for him; a lot of us would run through a wall for him.”
Harbaugh has endeared himself to a vast majority of the coaches and players in recent years, flipping a Michigan program heading the wrong way into a perennial winner — 23 consecutive wins over Big Ten teams, back-to-back Big Ten championships and consecutive College Football Playoff appearances.
But the sign-stealing saga that has engulfed the college football world in recent weeks risks overshadowing all of that. And Harbaugh, whose program has become a dartboard through it all, facing critics and nonstop attention in the news, will not be there to help tame it.
“Coach Harbaugh’s presence on the sideline means a lot to the team,” Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil said. “Not just offense, not jus defense or special teams — but he’s our head coach. It would be great if we’re able to have him on the sideline, but I think him just not being there will give us an extra chip on the shoulder.
“A ‘want-to-do-it-for-him’ type of mindset.”
Michigan appeared defiant shortly after the Big Ten slapped Harbaugh with the suspension, with athletic director Warde Manuel calling the punishment “completely unethical” and “insulting” and the school, in conjunction with Harbaugh, sought a temporary restraining order in court to block the suspension. Days later, both parties agreed to withdraw the legal filing and an assistant coach, Chris Partridge, was abruptly fired.
Harbaugh has declined to discuss details of the situation and used his weekly Monday news conferences to praise his team for its perseverance and determination. Michigan remains unbeaten and entered the week No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings, despite all the distractions and weekly headlines portraying the program as cheaters.
“Stay on course,” Harbaugh said this week. “The one thing about the noise — it stars to be tolerated, and then it gets blocked out.
“We are in position to be in position. That’s what we know. 11-0; they’re 11-0. Everything — all focus and preparation — is on this game, as it should be.”
Helping matters for Michigan, nothing changes during its game-week preparation when it comes to Harbaugh. He’ll still be around for practices and meetings, allowing him to set the tone for which his players will take the field on Saturday.
