Michigan Football: It might be time for a reality check

Michigan football has had its struggles throughout the Harbaugh era. Here I identify those issues and what needs to happen to turn the ship around.

For the first time in the Jim Harbaugh era it seems the Michigan football program might be at a crossroads. Ever since Michigan State walked into the Big House last Saturday night, punched Michigan in the mouth and beat them.

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I’ve been left asking the question, “What type of program is this going to be?” Hopefully it’s a question those within the coaching staff are asking themselves also. Rome wasn’t built overnight, but if we’re being honest I think we will agree that the first two-and-a-half years of Harbaugh-coached teams have been underwhelming to say the least. Here are some of the biggest reasons why this needs to be turned around.

The first issue is the one that should be staring UM fans in the face after what happened last week. Michigan is paying $9 million to Harbaugh, $1 million to offensive coordinator Tim Drevno, and another $1 million to Pep Hamilton. Now compare that to the offensive product the Wolverines are putting on the field.

This offense has been abysmal. Michigan has been unable to put points on the board. They’ve been unable to convert on  third downs. UM can’t consistently run the ball and the offensive line has been unable to protect the quarterback.

Not to mention that turnovers continue to plague this team. Five more came last week against MSU. Three of those were interceptions on consecutive drives when Michigan was trying to mount a comeback. These are systematic issues. To see these self inflicted mistakes continue to happen, three years in should be very alarming.

Another issue Michigan can’t seem to fix is the play of the quarterback. Harbaugh has been referred to the quarterback whisperer by many analysts. Andrew Luck, Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith are all guys whose development can be attributed to Harbaugh. However, we haven’t really seen that in his time at Michigan.

John O’Korn and Wilton Speight are both in their third year on campus. They for sure have not played like it. Whatever the reason, neither quarterback seems to be the answer to this struggling offense, and I think that’s a sign of the failures of the coach.

Now this could be a moot point. One of the younger athletes could be the next big quarterback at Michigan to lead this team to the next level. Whether that’s Brandon Peters or Dylan McCaffrey remains to be seen. But for this season, the quarterback situation is bland and dull, and very discomforting.

The next issue has been arguably the most painful for fans to endure. That has been how Michigan  has played against its rivals. Last Saturday night, Harbaugh’s record against rivals at Michigan fell to 1-4. Michigan State and Ohio State have owned both rivalries. Harbaugh’s whole approach to these games has been very frustrating.

Referring to the Michigan State game as just another game that needs to be won isn’t getting your team up to match the emotional intensity that the opponent came into the game with. And that could clearly be seen last Saturday. The Spartans came to the Big House playing with heart.

Michigan State wanted this game. The Spartans seemed to welcome the challenge of playing their rival on the road, under the lights, during primetime. Michigan didn’t seem to want any part of that challenge, or at least they didn’t play like it.

Some fans might be happy with what Harbaugh has done up to this point. Ten wins in back-to-back seasons is a lot better than where the program was previously. However, winning nine-10 games a season is not what Michigan is paying $9 million for. He is here to beat MSU, beat Ohio State and to win Big Ten championships. Michigan is dying for a Big Ten title, having not won one since 2004. Harbaugh was seen as the guy who could change that. Getting out-coached by Mark Dantonio isn’t going to get the job done.

Despite all the frustration, I do still believe Harbaugh is the guy to lead Michigan to the next level. But there have to be some things that change. That could happen this year and hopefully it does. Last season at this point no one was talking about Penn State as a Big Ten title contender. You know what happened. So I’m not willing to concede that Michigan’s goals for this season are unattainable. But there are things that need to happen and happen soon in order to regain some confidence in the program.

What’s the solution?

First thing is turning around this offense. There are a couple of ways to do this. I think changing up whoever is calling the plays would be a start. This unit sure doesn’t have the same creativity that the Jedd Fisch-led offense of the previous two seasons had.

I think getting a new mind calling the offensive plays would be something that could spark the offense. Another possibility is switching up the quarterback. This may seem premature, since O’Korn has only started one game this season. But I don’t think he’s the guy to get the offense going. Brandon Peters might be a new presence and a more natural pocket passer who is able to develop a chemistry with the receivers that could lead into next season.

One other thing that needs to happen to turn around the outlook of this season: Michigan needs to win signature games. Continuing to lose big games is no longer good enough. Michigan can’t continue to be beat over and over again by Michigan State and Ohio State. Harbaugh needs to get some big wins under his belt. How can this happen? Go into Happy Valley and beat Penn State. Beat the Buckeyes at home in November.

Hope for this season.

After a disappointing loss it’s important to look at a team’s struggles and try to fix them. Michigan should be doing just that. There is a path in place that Michigan can take to get back to its winning ways. If Harbaugh is the guy to lead Michigan to the promised land then these are trends that must be turned around.

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There is an unbelievable opportunity in front of this team to do just that this season. With the elite play of this defense let’s hope they rise to that opportunity and end the season finally getting some of those signature wins that have evaded the maize and blue for so long.