Statistics Revealed; The Michigan Wolverines are the country’s most battle-tested team.

The Michigan Wolverines are the country’s most battle-tested team.
Although most Michigan fans would admit that being 10-0 at this point in the season was expected, no one could have predicted the adversity the Wolverines would face to get there.

Although most Michigan fans would admit that being 10-0 at this point in the season was expected, no one could have predicted the adversity the Wolverines would face to get there.

It began prior to the season, when the University of Michigan announced that head coach Jim Harbaugh would serve a three-game self-imposed suspension to begin the season. The suspension was based on an NCAA investigation for recruiting violations in 2020, and Harbaugh could face additional penalties next season in addition to the self-imposed suspension. While Harbaugh’s absence was felt throughout the team on Saturday, the results on the field were as expected.

Harbaugh returned to the sidelines for Michigan’s Week 4 game against Rutgers after serving his three-game suspension. The Wolverines looked dominant in their conference opener, as they had in the previous three weeks, and that trend would continue for the next several weeks.

The Wolverines were considered heavy favorites in the rivalry matchup against Michigan State heading into Week 8, but controversy began to swirl around the program regarding another NCAA investigation into an illegal scouting scheme. The media frenzy that followed thrust Michigan Football into the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Harbaugh would eventually coach the Wolverines to a dominant victory over Michigan State in East Lansing, and then again the following week against Purdue in Ann Arbor, putting Michigan at a perfect 9-0 on the season.

Heading into the season’s biggest game against No. 10 Penn State, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti did the unthinkable by suspending Harbaugh for three games less than 24 hours before Michigan’s game – and he did so without a completed NCAA investigation or any evidence linking Harbaugh to the sign-stealing scheme. During his Monday press conference, Harbaugh stated that he learned of the suspension via social media while on the team plane on its way to Happy Valley.

The Michigan Wolverines would have to overcome Harbaugh’s absence due to an NCAA investigation once more, and they would have to do so in their most important game of the year. The Wolverines, led by offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, took the field in Happy Valley and dominated Penn State on both sides of the ball. Moore, along with several other members of the football team, were overcome with emotion following the massive road victory.

 

There’s no doubt that these players and coaches have tried to ignore the outside noise surrounding their program, but the emotion following Saturday’s crucial win demonstrated that the ongoing issues with the NCAA and the Big Ten are having an effect. Whereas other teams might become distracted and fold under such pressure, this veteran-led group of Wolverines responds each week – and the outside noise has only fueled their determination.

The Wolverines are 10-0 and will travel to College Park this weekend to face Maryland for a chance to become the first program in college football history to reach 1,000 wins. It’s unclear whether Harbaugh will be on the sidelines with his team to commemorate such an incredible achievement at this time. Along with preparing his team for the game this weekend, Harbaugh is preparing for a crucial court appearance on Friday to take legal action against the Big Ten’s recent ruling.

Whether or not Harbaugh makes the trip, there’s no doubt that the Wolverines are prepared to take care of business on the road this weekend. Under normal circumstances, this Maryland game might be viewed as a “trap” game, sandwiched between two marquee matchups with Penn State and Ohio State. But if this season has taught us anything, it’s that we’re a long way from “normal” circumstances. It’s also taught us that, regardless of the circumstances, the Wolverines are more than capable of delivering a strong response when it matters most – on the field.