Michigan Football: Beating Wisconsin, Penn State could change perception

How wins over Wisconsin and Penn State could change the perception about Michigan football this season. 

At this point of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure, there appears to be a clear divide on how Michigan football fans feel about him.

Some still believe that Jim Harbaugh is the man for the job and will lead Michigan back to prominence. Others are done with Harbaugh altogether and are ready for Michigan to move on.

Jim Harbaugh is 0-5 against Ohio State and Michigan football needs a win over the Buckeyes, preferably sooner than later.

Yet, after last season, it is hard to reasonably expect that this will be the year that Michigan gets it done. Harbaugh is 3-3 against Michigan State, however, he is 2-0 on the road against MSU.

This year’s game in East Lansing and Michigan football should win. The Wolverines have more talent than Michigan State and there should be no shortage of motivation after last season’s embarrassing loss.

Michigan could beat everyone it is expected to beat, lose to everyone it is expected to lose to, and have a ho-hum 8-4 season. That will likely leave Michigan in a similar position next offseason.

There will still be calls for Harbaugh’s job and recruiting might be in limbo because of the program’s long-term stability. However, two games on Michigan’s schedule can alter both the national and fan perception. Neither of them is Michigan State or Ohio State.

Two games that could change perception for Michigan football

While Michigan State and Ohio State are the two most important games on Michigan’s schedule, it is also important that Michigan beats the other top programs in the Big Ten.

Two of those programs are Wisconsin and Penn State. Michigan lost to both schools at home last season, bringing Harbaugh’s record to 2-3 against Wisconsin and 3-3 against Penn State.

Wisconsin and Penn State should be pretty good this season but, Michigan is capable of beating both. Wisconsin has an exciting talent at quarterback in second-year starter Graham Mertz, but like every other year, it starts up front.

The Badgers are strong on both sides of the line of the scrimmage and if the Wolverines can handle that test, it will be a major confidence builder.

Penn State is replacing a few starters in its front seven, most notably Odafe Oweh. Sean Clifford will return for his third year as a starter and he has a deep cast of skill players around him. Depending on how well Penn State gels on offense under new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, Michigan might have to outgun them.

Let’s not forget that Michigan football could have won its last trip to Penn State and its “Whiteout.”

While Ronnie Bell got much of the blame, Michigan dominated the second half. Had Michigan not spotted Penn State a 21-0 lead, I think the Wolverines likely win that game.

Michigan will not favor winning in Madison or Happy Valley, but Michigan needs to win these types of games to re-establish itself as a top program nationally. Jim Harbaugh is 0-11 as an underdog at Michigan. Michigan also has not beaten good teams on the road under Jim Harbaugh or the last 15+ years in general. It is time for Michigan to buck the status quo.

If Michigan can split with Wisconsin and Penn State, I would feel pretty good about it going at least 9-3. If Michigan wins both, then it is cooking with gas.

If Michigan starts 5-0, that means a nationally televised home win against Washington and a big road win over Wisconsin. Throw in a road win over Penn State in mid-November and Michigan would have a good chance at 10 wins. I think it is safe to say that would get Jim Harbaugh off the hot seat, even if Michigan loses to Ohio State again.

Michigan would have a lot of momentum on the recruiting trail with a 10-win season. Five-star targets Walter Nolen and Josh Conerly will be on campus for the Washington game.

If Michigan wins 10 games (and has a strong NIL package for Nolen), it will have a chance to land both. It will also have a chance to flip five-star corner Domani Jackson if USC falters this season.

Last season, Notre Dame made the College Football Playoff and now it has the #2 recruiting class in the country.

It will probably hover around five or six once everyone fills up their classes, but it shows that winning cures all and I could see a similar bump for Michigan, but it starts with beating the top competition on the road like Penn State and Wisconsin.