ESPN Says The Pressure Is On For Jim Harbaugh In 2019
In four years at Michigan Jim Harbaugh has failed to either beat Ohio State or win the Big Ten. Heading into 2019 after offseason changes, ESPN analyst Laura Rutledge suggested that the pressure is now on Harbaugh.
During a feature on Get Up!, Rutledge suggested that with Urban Meyer "out of the way," Harbaugh needs to make 2019 count. She pointed to the return of star quarterback Shea Patterson and the hiring of Josh Gattis as key to the season.
Michigan has one of the tougher schedules in the FBS next season. On top of their Big Ten slate, they have big games against Notre Dame and Army with almost no margin for error.
But Rutledge concluded that if Harbaugh does manage to lead the team to victory over Ohio State, his poor record against elite teams will quickly be forgotten.
The last three seasons have ended almost identically for Michigan. Each year they've suffered a loss to Ohio State, followed by a bowl loss in a game they were the favorites.
But Ohio State will have a very different look from Harbaugh's last four seasons. Urban Meyer and OSU quarterback Dwayne Haskins are being replaced by Ryan Day and Justin Fields.
If Harbaugh is capable of taking Michigan to the next level, there may not be a better venue to prove it than 2019.
