Can Jim Harbaugh’s bully ball lead Michigan to a title?

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan’s offense is one thing out of the Bo Schembechler period. Then once more, so is its file.

It’s 7-0 now for the No. 5 Wolverines after they completely dominated 10th-ranked Penn State on Saturday, 41-17. That marks consecutive 7-0 begins for the primary time since they did it 4 seasons in a row from 1971-75 and Schembechler was at his legendary peak.

These are the golden glory days round right here, sepia-toned reminiscences that this system continuously tries to duplicate. However Bo by no means received a nationwide title, not to mention needed to cope with a playoff that stacked SEC powers towards him. Michigan went 1-2-1 towards Ohio State throughout that run. The requirements now are completely different.

The Wolverines’ coach, Jim Harbaugh, is an previous quarterback however he’s operating issues like an offensive lineman. The remainder of the nation could also be obsessive about athletes in area and magnificence factors galore, however blunt-force trauma appears to be the objective in Ann Arbor.

A large-open passing assault? Attempt operating it 55 instances for 411 yards.

Tempo offense? Attempt 41:56 time of possession.

Bend-but-don’t-break protection? Penn State had only one first down within the first half (to Michigan’s 18) because the Wolverines simply manhandled them.

Michigan managed the clock, managed the sport (even when Penn State stayed flukily in it) and managed the need of its opponent. It by no means punted.

This was some form of Large Ten fantasy come to life, only a pure bludgeoning. And it got here towards a workforce that had allowed simply 79.6 yards per sport on the bottom, fifth finest within the nation.

“Like coach Harbaugh stated, ‘It was a butt-kicking in each which means a butt could be kicked,” quarterback J.J. McCarthy stated.

“Yeah,” Harbaugh stated, “that’s my favourite approach to win a sport.”

Certain, however can that type of play win all of it? As a result of lately, for higher or worse, the sport is nationwide, not regional, and the mockery of solely coming shut, as absurd as it’s, can cripple a program.

Effectively, this fashion was sufficient to cease the Buckeyes a 12 months in the past, Michigan imposing its physicality on an Ohio State workforce that was extra about pyrotechnics.

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That was one time, although. And as soon as Michigan bought to the playoff, Georgia rag-dolled them with little concern.

But slightly than change issues up, Harbaugh seems to have doubled down. He might now begin a quarterback in McCarthy who was a five-star recruit with a Verlander of an arm, however the sport plan requires a gradual weight loss program of Blake Corum (166 yards and two touchdowns) and Donovan Edwards (173 yards and two extra scores).

Or possibly, extra precisely, anybody leaping by holes as Ryan Hayes and Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan and the opposite offensive linemen unleashed violence the way in which they did on the Nittany Lions.

“We’ve got the very best offensive line within the nation,” stated McCarthy, who threw for 145 yards and rushed for 57. His yards per try was simply 6.04 — virtually junior excessive numbers — however anybody suggesting Michigan ought to strive something completely different ought to examine with the QB.

“While you’re dashing for 400 yards towards the No. 10 workforce within the nation, I’ll sit again and be part of that trip each single sport,” McCarthy smiled.

Michigan shouldn’t should apologize for something. Saturday was an entire domination. They’re the reigning Large Ten champions, a program that has received 19 of its final 21 video games. Their stadium was filled with 110,812, maize-clad devotees on a sun-splashed, leaves-changing, crisp autumn day.

This was soccer perfection.

So possibly proudly zigging whereas everybody else is zagging can yield one thing.

That is how Michigan goes to play soccer. Perhaps it’s ok. Perhaps it isn’t. However they’re coming with balled-up fists and unwell intent and also you higher be prepared for that. Penn State actually wasn’t.

“Any profitable offense, you go to any program in America, it’s a must to have a dominant offensive line,” McCarthy stated. “You don’t see any Air Raid offenses win the nationwide title. It’s the place it’s carried out, within the trenches and that’s the place the battle is received. That’s all in regards to the gritty means of enjoying soccer, the blue-collar means and I’m simply glad to be part of it.

“It’s going to organize me for the NFL and it wins ball video games. So I’m all for that.”

McCarthy and others say they willingly joined a Wolverines program that felt stalled out underneath the idea they might elevate it up. The 2021 season was a breakthrough. They’re again for extra although.

“Final 12 months we constructed the inspiration,” defensive lineman Mike Morris stated. “Now we’re constructing our mansion.”

The Wolverines can be underdogs in Columbus on the finish of the season. They’d be underdogs in any playoff sport if they will get there. Irrespective of.

They’re coming prepared for the combat, the way in which Bo did it and the way in which, possibly as soon as once more, it might nonetheless be carried out.