Paul Finebaum: Michigan 'has been dominant' this season, even during Jim Harbaugh suspension

Michigan has been talked about for its off-the-field happenings more so than its on-the-field accomplishments recently as head coach Jim Harbaugh approaches the final game of his regular season suspension amid the program’s ongoing sign-stealing investigation.

ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum has not held his tongue regarding his opinions of Michigan’s sign-stealing investigation and the antics of their head coach. But with Stephen A. Smith on ‘First Take’ Tuesday morning, even Finebaum admitted to the Wolverines’ dominance ahead of their biggest game of the season versus Ohio State.

“Well Stephen A. they’ve been dominant until the last two weeks, ironically when Harbaugh went out and they probably were no longer able to use signals that maybe they got surreptitiously, they were the most dominant team in the country,” Finebaum said taking a shot at the Wolverines. “I mean they were powerful, they were not only beating teams, they were destroying teams.”

Michigan’s dominance has been undeniable, leading the nation in point differential by defeating their opponents by an average of 29.3 points per game. They haven’t displayed that same dominance in their last two games, which be a result of better competition, the lack of their head coach on the sidelines, or the team looking ahead to their big rivalry game this weekend.

“The last two weeks they struggled, it’s also the two best teams they’ve played. On the road at Penn State, they played well. They dominated the game but not in a crushing, overpowering fashion. Last week I think it was a sandwich game at Maryland, Mike Locksley does a good job, but that game should not have been as close as it was,” Finebaum explained. “But with Ohio State ahead I understood that, but this week’s totally different.”

No matter where they’ve played, who they’ve played, or who’s been their head coach, Michigan has been able to take care of business this year to remain undefeated and maintain their status as one of the nation’s best teams. But this Saturday will be their tallest task of the season, hosting their rival in a second straight season where both teams are undefeated and ranked within top-3 of the polls.

“I think the off the field stuff is getting to them a little bit, it’s so overwhelming. If you’re a Michigan player you can’t go anywhere, you can’t look up at the TV without seeing your coach on there making some ridiculous comparison like crazy Uncle Joe at Thanksgiving. So I think it’s had an effect, now this week it’s a different situation. They have not only one the game against Ohio State the last two years Stephen A., they’ve dominated the game,” Finebaum said.

Michigan handled the Buckeyes in 2021 with a 15-point victory which they followed last season with a 22-point win in Columbus. But will they be able to do so again amid their ongoing distractions?

We’ll find out this Saturday, as ‘The Game’ kicks off at noon ET and will air on FOX.