Michigan Football: Jim Harbaugh needs championships, not just wins

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines participates in warmups with is team on the field prior to their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines participates in warmups with is team on the field prior to their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh has seen his reputation take a hit the past two seasons, how many wins will it take to turn that around in 2018?

There is no question that when it comes to the 2018 season, there is a lot of pressure on the Michigan football program. In particular, there is a lot of pressure on head coach Jim Harbaugh to win and win big.

Think about it. The expectations for Michigan football have always been high. Yet, they got even higher after Harbaugh came and helped UM return to the national landscape. The Wolverines won 10 games in 2015 and started 2016 at 9-0, before losing three of the last four games to finish 10-3.

Last season, however, Michigan really fell shot of expectations, winning just eight games. When you looked at all the losses of personnel, it was probably to be expected, but when the wins didn’t come and fans started to get frustrated, especially with losses to Michigan State and Ohio State at home.

Harbaugh has been great for Michigan football, there is no disputing that. He has been masterful on the recruiting trail and now that Shea Patterson is in the fold, he might finally have a star at quarterback, which has been one of the missing ingredients.

Now regardless of what happens in 2018, it would be insane to say Harbaugh is on the hot seat. The administration loves him and even though CBS dropped him from 5th to 17th in its college football coaching rankings, he’s still an elite head coach.

But here is the question I really want to ask after reading the article from CBS and that is what will it take to rehabilitate Harbaugh’s image next season? How many games does he have to win or who exactly does he need to beat?

It’s an interesting question. In three years, he was won 28 games and lost 11. His record could be better, but when he took over three years ago, I would have happily taken an average of nine wins. Any Michigan football fan would have. Now, fans want more, analysts too.

Michigan Wolverines Football
Michigan Wolverines Football /

Michigan Wolverines Football

The honeymoon period has worn off. So what will it take in 2018 to get the good vibes back in Ann Arbor? Will 10 wins do the trick?

It’s possible but that will be a tall order. Would a nine-win season suffice if it included a win over Michigan State or the Buckeyes? Would beating Notre Dame is the season opener give Harbaugh any reprieve?

It’s hard to say. Obviously, some big wins will be required and avoiding upsets will be key. With the brutal schedule facing the Wolverines, they can’t afford any slip ups. If UM beats SMU, Western Michigan, Northwestern, Nebraska, Maryland, Indiana and Rutgers, that’s seven wins. And that won’t be easy because Nebraska will be better. Maryland too. Northwestern is also a tough program.

But assuming Michigan wins those seven games, it has five toss ups — Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Penn State. In all honesty, UM will be underdogs in most of those games, but they are winnable, even if three are on the road.

Basically, Michigan needs to hold serve at home against the Badgers and Penn State. Then, find a way to win one or two road games against its three main rivals, Ohio State, the Spartans and Fighting Irish.

But say, with Patterson Michigan wins one or two of those games and wins 10. Would that be enough? I honestly don’t think it will be. With Patterson and another stout defense, if Harbaugh wants to be considered elite again, he needs to beat the Buckeyes and Spartans. He also needs to win the Big Ten East and a Big Ten championship.

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That sounds like a tall order, but if Harbaugh wants to silence the critics in 2018, wins won’t be enough, he needs championships,