It’s finally here. After watching both Ohio State and Michigan take care of business each week, all signposts seemed to point towards the matchup of two college football giants this year in “The Game.” Both got a scare last week to make it all come to fruition, but there’s no doubt these are two of the best teams in the game this year.
Last year, Jim Harbaugh and Michigan finally got the Ohio State monkey off its back by physically dominating the Buckeyes in a snowy Donnybrook that took the will of OSU for the first time in years.
How will this one play out? We’re as excited as you are to see and we’ll continue to have coverage throughout the week to tee it all up for kickoff at Noon ET on Saturday.
But before that, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh met with the local media in Ann Arbor for his weekly press conference Monday, and of course, the Ohio State game was front and center on everyone’s minds.
In case you missed any of what Harbaugh said, here are his comments in their entirety thanks to our sister site Wolverines Wire. We’ll have more with those folks from behind enemy lines later in the week, so feel free to head over there and get some perspective from the opposite sideline as well.
Oh how Michigan had been preparing for Ohio State all year
Keeping track of them. There’s things we do in practice to prepare for them. We know Ohio State’s our toughest, toughest competition. This will be our toughest test to date.
On how important the run game will be vs. Ohio State
I think would be important. stopping the run, being able to run the ball. Always key factors in the football game.
On the message to his team about playing in Columbus
That it’s gonna be great. I’ll be grateful for that experience.
On what Harbaugh sees about Jim Knowles' defense
I see the defense is really good. 17 takeaways, 10 interceptions, six recovered fumbles, 16 forced fumbles, three defensive touchdowns. Yeah, I think it’s a very strong team.
On whether there are any updates on Blake Corum and other injured players
No, no update.
On Michigan running back Blake Corum giving back to the community
He’s amazing, in all ways. He’s larger than life. Personality, larger than life, empathy — everything he does, in quiet ways, and in example ways. So many things that are tight. Why we’re such a tight-knit football team.
On what he sees about Ohio State that's different this year
Yeah, I think they’re a really good team, improved team. It’s a tremendous team. And we’re very grateful to be in this position to be playing in this game. Winner takes the East, winner takes all right there. So, strong opponent.
And it’s the kind of situation that gives you the opportunity to display how strong our team is. There’s no need to hate, be grateful for the opponent. It’s like superheroes. It’s through a strong opponent that you get to find out who you are. They have a lot of players that are really good.
They got great players. We got great players. They have great coaches. We have great coaches, they have players with Heisman habits. We have players with Heisman habits. And congratulations, be grateful for having the opportunity to play this kind of big game
On the impact last year's win over Ohio State had for the Michigan program
It’s where we’re at now. And like I just said, those are my thoughts on — it’s just a real honor. It’s a real honor to be in this position to be able to test yourself physically, mentally, emotionally. We know it’s our toughest test of the year. And I think we’re going to find that we’re made of the right stuff.
On how quickly focus turned to Ohio State after the narrow win over Illinois
It was actually just a couple hours actually, not even, because by the time I got home I was watching the Ohio State-Maryland game and already my mind switched over pretty quick.
On what Harbaugh will tell quarterback J.J. McCarthy about this week
Have at it. You know, it’s pretty cool. Coming off of a game you had, fourth-quarter comeback win in the last minute. Game-winning drive. That doesn’t happen to quarterbacks that often and to be in that situation, first time and win it. He’s just he’s got it.
Talked about turning water to wine — I think I made that comment back in the summer that he had that ability. Shouldn’t drop the snap, but drops the snap, goes down on one knee, has a presence before he touched the ball to lift his knee off the ground, pick it up, get out of the pocket, pick up a critical first down. He’s got it. And it’s so glad that he’s, he’s on our team. And he’s just, he’s fiercely protective of the team. He’s a tremendous teammate. But he’s got that he’s got that grit and determination to that. All into one package is a tremendous mix of Jim and Megan McCarthy. Mix of each.
I’m wouldn’t tell him anything more than that, just go have at it.
On how Harbaugh is feeling right now
Yeah, good! Thanks! A little hoarse, still a little hoarse from Saturday.
On anything he's unsure of at this point heading into the Ohio State game
Oh, yeah, I’m always searching to understand just exactly where we’re at, and where our opponent is, and been spending the better part of yesterday and today doing that through — watching it on the tape, too. But also just, I spent part of my morning talking to some of the parents on our team. And that was super enlightening. But as I said, I think you’re gonna find that we’re made of the right stuff.
On him being grateful of not departing for the NFL this offseason after the season Michigan has had
How I feel right now, my decision, or just I can answer that question: I don’t want to write your whole article for you here, but how I feel is what I said. I’m just so, so pleased with this team. I just want to congratulate them for putting them in the position, for them putting themselves in the position that they’re in. And it’s just a tremendous honor to be able to go play against this kind of opponent, with these kinds of circumstances, in that kind of setting. In Ohio Stadium, with the championship of the Big East — or the East side of the Big Ten Conference at stake, to be tested. That way it’s something that an honor and we’re super excited about it.
On the meaning of a "happy mission" this week leading into the game
Yeah, I didn’t call happy warriors. As I said, there’s no need to be to hate it’s or anxiety or anger or anything like that. It’s about being grateful — it is Thanksgiving week. Yeah, grateful for this opportunity, these circumstances, grateful to be tested against this opponent at this time.
On him saying Ohio State was soft last year
That wasn’t me.
Someone affiliated with the team said Ohio State was soft last year. Does he see them being a tougher team this season?
Yes, absolutely. This is a — you got two teams that are like two superheroes going at each other. And that’s why, that’s why we’re so excited about being tested. Find out what we’re made of.
On defining what he means about his team having the "right stuff"
Got a great group of players who are happy warriors, and they’re on a happy mission. And it’s a tight-knit team that has paid the price, they have taken on every challenge to this date, and they’ve attacked it and ready to play every single game for 60 minutes. And I love this team. I think they’re made of the right stuff.
On revisiting Ryan Day's "Hang a hundred on 'em" comment and his "standing on 3rd base comment"
Guess kind of irrelevant is what I think. I think it’s irrelevant.
On whether anyone who doesn't practice will be able to play against Ohio State
No, if you can’t practice, you can’t play in the game.
On what makes C.J. Stroud and Marvin Harrison Jr. so good
Yeah. I talked about players that have Heisman habits. They have players that have Heisman habits. We have players that have Heisman habits. No question, C.J. Stroud and Marvin Harrison Jr. have Heisman habits — tremendous players.
Oh how his experience playing at Ohio State can relate to what he tells J.J. McCarthy
At this point, the things I share with J.J. — just have at it. And that’s when we tell all our players: it’s an honor. It’s tremendous. Congratulations. Put yourselves in this position. You paid the price. You’ve done the work, now let it rip.
On telling his team how to balance the emotions of this game
Do everything, preparation to get ready for this game. It’s all about this game. It’s all about going 1-0 this week.
On whether there's any danger in building this game up to be goo big
Both teams are 11-0 and I know our 11-0 really doesn’t mean anything now. It’s all about going 1-0.
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