Most people predicted that Michigan’s late-season game against Penn State would be the Wolverines’ first true test heading into the 2023 season. Although facing the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley is difficult under normal circumstances, the Wolverines were also dealing with ongoing noise surrounding an NCAA investigation into their program, along with finding out head coach Jim Harbaugh would be suspended for the game less than 24 hours before kickoff.
When the Wolverines took the field on Saturday, none of the outside noise or controversy mattered, as No. 3 Michigan bullied its way to a 24-15 victory over No. 10 Penn State. With the victory, the Wolverines set two new program records, highlighting Michigan’s dominance over the last two and a half seasons. The Wolverines have won 22 consecutive Big Ten games, the longest streak in program history.
Because the Big Ten does not recognize the 2021 or 2022 league championship games as conference matchups, U-M now has 20 straight wins, a new program record (previous: 19 by Gary Moeller’s 1990-92 teams). This weekend, the Wolverines will have another chance to set a new program record while also reaching an incredible milestone: becoming the first team in college football history to reach 1,000 wins.
The biggest question for Michigan right now is whether Harbaugh will be on the sidelines to celebrate such an impressive milestone if the Wolverines win this weekend (Michigan is currently a 21-point favorite over Maryland). Harbaugh is set to appear in court on Friday to seek an injunction allowing him to continue coaching his football team.
Michigan’s board of regents sued the Big Ten Conference and commissioner Tony Petitti last Friday after the league suspended Harbaugh for violating the league’s sportsmanship policy due to allegations of sign-stealing. Despite admitting that there is no evidence that Harbaugh was involved (or had knowledge) of the scheme, the Big Ten decided to punish him anyway.
If the injunction is granted on Friday, Jim Harbaugh will presumably be able to return to the sidelines against Maryland on Saturday, setting the stage for what could be a nasty legal battle between the University of Michigan and the Big Ten conference. “I’m going to talk to you on Friday,” Harbaugh said. “I’m just looking for that chance.” I’m not looking for special treatment or a popularity contest; I’m just looking for the merits of the case.”
