Jim Harbaugh shuts down reporter after question on offensive style, recruiting implications

Jim Harbaugh has Michigan looking like a formidable contender this season. In their three wins this season, they’ve dominated — outscoring their opponents by a score of 141-34.

So far, the Wolverines have used their strong run game to propel them. However, one reporter asked Harbaugh in his recent press conference if leaning so much on the run game will affect the way recruits view Michigan.

“I just think you’ve got some kind of story already written,” said Harbaugh. “Plug something from me in on it.

“We’re trying to move the ball. Trying to score touchdowns. Trying to get as good at football as we can.”

Evidently, Harbaugh knows the best way to get recruits is one simple way — winning. If that means Michigan has to run the ball every single down, that’s what they’ll do.

While Michigan hasn’t asked quarterback Cade McNamara to do too much, he’s performed well when called upon. So far this season, Harbaugh’s quarterback’s thrown for 374 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing no interceptions.

No, Harbaugh’s offensive game-plan isn’t as flashy as Ohio State or even Penn State, but it doesn’t need to be. If he can defeat his Big Ten rivals, many won’t care how he does it.

Plus, Michigan lost one of their best offensive play-makers in wide receiver Ronnie Bell to injury. If anything, this season has proved Harbaugh’s ability to adjust his team’s identity on the fly.

Instead of questioning Michigan’s offensive style, Harbaugh should be seeing praise for arguably his best coaching job since taking over the program — so far.

NIU head coach praises Harbaugh, Michigan

Jim Harbaugh and Michigan completely dominated Northern Illinois on Saturday, coming away with a 63-10 victory. After the game, Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock and NIU quarterback Rocky Lombardi had strong words about Michigan’s team. Hammock went as far to say that Michigan built its team specifically to beat Ohio State, and that they did a good job doing so.

“What I see, they built their team to beat Ohio State,” Hammock said after the game via Football Scoop’s Doug Samuels. “You’re not going to out-athlete Ohio State and so they said, ‘We’re going to get dirty.’ And you know what? Credit to them because they stay committed to that. They have a good team.”

Hammock has previously worked as an assistant at both Minnesota and Wisconsin, and he has worked in the NFL as well. After Harbaugh’s Wolverines literally ran away with the game against Hammock’s Northern Illinois team, he still took the time to praise how good Michigan looks right now. Ohio State at Michigan late in the year just got a lot more interesting.

Michigan had a 35-3 lead at halftime. The Wolverines scored 49 points in the second and third quarter alone. Michigan ran for 373 and eight touchdowns while averaging 7.8 yards per carry as a team on 48 carries.