Kirk Herbstreit explains how Michigan can get over the hump, win national championship

It’s been an impressive last couple of years for Michigan with back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances. But the Wolverines still don’t have that elusive national championship appearance, although they got close in last year’s loss to TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

That begs the question of how Jim Harbaugh and his group can get over the hump. Based on the close nature of that game against TCU, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said it might not take much.

“You know, when I hear ‘over the hump’ — I think they should’ve been in the national championship last year,” Herbstreit told On3’s J.D. PicKell at the On3 NIL Elite Series. “I mean, I respect TCU, but let’s face it. I think you and I and everybody that watched that game, we were impressed with what we saw from TCU that game and the way they made so many explosive plays. But I think going into it, I think if we thought about [it], Michigan was going to win the game.

“So to think, ‘What do they have to do to get over the hump?’ I would’ve said that after they lost to Georgia [in 2021] and the fashion in which they did. But against TCU, man, I just feel like just a couple plays here or there. So I don’t think they change a whole lot of anything.”

Michigan once again has a strong unit in the backfield with Blake Corum returning for another year alongside Donovan Edwards, creating arguably the top running back duo in the nation. Plus, they have solidified the quarterback position with a dual threat in J.J. McCarthy, who threw for 343 yards and rushed for 52 yards while totaling three touchdowns — two in the air and one on the ground — in that bowl game.

Additionally, the Wolverines have gotten it done on the recruiting trail with the No. 18-ranked recruiting class coming in, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. That’s why Herbstreit thinks Harbaugh has his best chance yet to bring a national championship to his alma mater — barring injuries, of course.

“You mentioned the one-two punch in the backfield, the way they’ve recruited in recent years, they’ve got great skill on the outside, they’re always going to have linemen. And then, J.J. is, I think, proving himself to be a guy that you can win a lot of games with. So I think they’re in a great spot,” Herbstreit told PicKell. “They get Ohio State at home. Jim, I feel like, has taken his program to the highest level that it’s been at since he’s been in Ann Arbor. If they can stay healthy, they’re going to have a real shot this year.”