Michigan Football: Can’t blame Jim Harbaugh for Ohio State loss

Michigan football missed out on a great chance to upset Ohio State Saturday, but that doesn’t mean the loss should be blamed on Jim Harbaugh.

Whenever Michigan football falls to Ohio State it’s tough. But Saturday, the Wolverines 31-20 loss to the Buckeyes, was just plain brutal. Not for how Michigan played, but for how close it came, before ultimately falling short in a game defined by missed opportunities.

Related Story: 3 reasons to be thankful for Michigan football

The one that comes to mind is the dropped interception by Khaleke Hudson in the second quarter. Michigan football led 14-0, but the Buckeyes were driving. Near his own goal line, Hudson got a ball thrown right to him by J.T. Barrett, but he couldn’t haul it in.

Barrett scored two plays later and the game went into half tied at 14-14.

In the third quarter, Michigan grabbed the lead again, as Karan Higdon plunged in for a touchdown, but a blocked PAT made the score just 20-14. However, after Barrett was knocked out of the game, Dwayne Haskins drove Ohio State down the field for a touchdown, converting third down after third down on his way.

That gave Ohio State a 21-20 lead. Michigan football wouldn’t score again, despite opportunities. Late in the fourth, after a completion to Eddie McDoom, Michigan faced a 2nd-and-1 near the 30-yard line of Ohio State.

John O’Korn, the Michigan quarterback, got his foot stepped on. Two overthrows later and the Wolverines turned it over on downs. An interception trailing 24-20, sealed it. The Buckeyes added another touchdown in the final minutes to make it 31-20.

The loss was brutal. Michigan outplayed Ohio State for much of the day. It was also victimized by some poor officiating. Yet, at the end of the day, the Wolverines didn’t make enough plays to win.

But that’s not the fault of Jim Harbaugh.

Yes, it’s frustrating that the head coach is 0-3 against Ohio State, 1-5 against his chief rivals and 1-7 against top-10 teams. But the past two seasons, Michigan has gone toe-to-toe with the Buckeyes. They lost each time yes, but the gap is closing.

Michigan football just needs to find a way to shut the door. The defense had chances, but failed to generate a turnover. The offense, missed even more. O’Korn was mostly at fault, missing point-blank passes again and again.

Right now, every Michigan football fan is in a pit of despair or enraged at Harbaugh. But Michigan was ready for Ohio State and a team that was a two-touchdown underdog, with a backup quarterback, led for most of the game. They proved at least, they belong.

Moral victories don’t count, not in major college football, but Michigan’s effort was still impressive. The Buckeyes were just better. Now, it’s up to Harbaugh to change that. But he’s getting close and he can’t be faulted for this one.

Next: Top 10 Michigan Running Backs of All Time

Eventually, Harbaugh will need to beat Urban Meyer and Ohio State. The rivalry needs to tilt back in the Wolverines favor and crazy as it might sound, Harbaugh is still the best man for the job.