Michigan Football: 2018 make or break year for Jim Harbaugh, Wolverines
Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh may not be on the hot seat heading into 2018, but if he doesn’t produce next season, he could be.
After another disappointing loss, one in which Michigan football held a 16-point lead, there is no question, that the fans are starting to get a little restless.
When UM was up 19-3 and just yards away from taking a commanding 26-3 lead in the Outback Bowl, Michigan football fans felt good. Yet, it was only a short time before the nightmare started. Karan Higdon fumbled, Brandon Peters threw a bunch of interceptions and it all got away.
The defense even started giving up big plays. I guess you can only dominant so long before you give way to an offense that keeps putting you in tough spots. There were some bright spots, a lot of them on defense.
On the offensive side of the ball, not so much. The running game was a flat-our failure. Higdon churned out 65 yards, but as a team, Michigan averaged 2.2 a carry and got just 74 yards. That’s not just bad, it’s pathetic.
Some of the young receivers played well. And you actually had to feel good about Donovan Peoples-Jones, before one of the worst fumbles you will ever see a punt returner make. He still has a bright future. So does Nico Collins, Tarik Black and Kekoa Crawford, who had the best game of his career with five catches for 61 yards.
While there were some positive moments, there are two major questions that linger after the Outback Bowl. Can Michigan football solve its problem at quarterback and can the Wolverines learn how to win big games?
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Harbaugh has lost 11 games as head coach at Michigan, but in seven of those games, the Wolverines led in the second half, only to falter. That’s a disturbing trend. Almost as disturbing as the way Peters played.
With his strong language and all the compliments he got from Harbaugh on down, you expected Peters to be sharp. Instead, he looked about as bad as John O’Korn. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes and averaged 4.2 yards per attempt.
Peters also threw two interceptions that doomed Michigan, especially the first, which came during a goal-to-go situation with UM down four. To me, as well as many others, it kind of felt like rock bottom.
It’s probably unfair to say Peters can’t win the starting job this spring. Lots of young quarterbacks struggle early and he does have talent. But at this point, you’d have to say Shea Patterson would be a heavy favorite if he’s declared eligible for 2018.
If not, the Wolverines have to hope Peters can mature or that either Dylan McCaffrey or Joe Milton is ready to take the reigns.
Regardless of who is playing quarterback, Harbaugh needs to start winning big games. The honeymoon is over. And with games at Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State, getting a big rivalry win is going to be a big ask. UM also plays at Northwestern, while hosting Penn State and Wisconsin.
Those are six really tough games. And that’s not including games against Nebraska, Indiana and Maryland, teams that should be on the rise. Winning 10 games is going to be tough. Heck, eight isn’t going to be easy.
Imagine if the Wolverines get swept by the Irish, Spartans and Buckeyes. Add in another lose or two and Harbaugh’s seat will be hotter than ever.
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We have heard about the potential of Michigan football for years. But at some point, potential is meaningless and the Wolverines have reached that point. Like it or not, for the program and for Harbaugh, 2018 is a make or break year.