Michigan Football: 3 things to be thankful for as Wolverines fans

Head coach Jim Harbaugh

When you’re wrong, you’re wrong and when it comes to Jim Harbaugh, I was wrong.

After the Penn State loss and the NFL rumors popped up again, I started to believe that maybe Harbaugh did want out, that the job was maybe more difficult than he expected.

It struck me especially when Joel Klatt, someone I have a lot of respect for, even said it. It just felt like a breakup was coming.

Then, Harbaugh responded with his letter to parents and really to his players and recruits. He said I basically, I am here to win and I am here for the long haul.

His defiance reminded you of the old Harbaugh, the one that smacked Jim Schwartz on the back and ran the score up on Pete Carroll.

And his football team responded. He said the offense was close and everyone asked if he was crazy. He said the second half against Penn State would be his team’s finest hour and it nearly was and since then, it has been.

Since those comments, Michigan football has dominated people and it’s why it feels like they have a fighting chance against Ohio State.

But even if, god forbid, Michigan loses again, we should still be thankful we have Harbaugh. In the seven years under Rich Rod and Brady Hoke, Michigan won 10 games once; Harbaugh has done it three times and has two chances to make it four in five years this season.

The Wolverines have ended the season in the top 15 three times, something it did only once in seven years previously. And beyond that, Ohio State has been historically good during this stretch, even for the Buckeyes.

And while Harbaugh hasn’t caught or passed the Buckeyes, he’s certainly helped Michigan keep pace better than Brady Hoke. The bottom line, he’s the best man for the job and this past month has reminded us of that. So no matter what happens Saturday, don’t lose sight of that.