Sherrone Moore reveals the last advice he received from Jim Harbaugh for The Game

Saturday will mark Jim Harbaugh’s final absence from the Michigan sideline this year. Sherrone Moore is again in his place as Harbaugh serves the last game of his three-game suspension — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Moore’s fourth game as acting head coach this year, his third straight since the Big Ten suspended Harbaugh, is The Game against Ohio State. With the No. 2-ranked Wolverines and No. 3-ranked Buckeyes squaring off, not only is a trip to the Big Ten Championship on the line, but there are possibly College Football Playoff implications, as well.

Harbaugh has coached in seven games against Ohio State, but this will be Moore’s first wearing the big headset. The headman had some advice for Moore ahead of the game, though.

“He said he loved me,” Moore told FOX’s Jenny Taft ahead of kickoff. “He said do me. And that’s what we’re gonna do.”

Michigan is searching for its third straight victory over Ohio State — something that hasn’t been done since the 1990s. As for what Moore told the players, he kept it simple.

“Play like you guys practice,” Moore said. “Play with relentless effort, play for yourselves, play for your teammates and play for Michigan.”

Sherrone Moore is 3-0 this year as acting head coach. He previously served in the role against Bowling Green earlier this year as Harbaugh served a self-imposed three-game suspension as a result of recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead period. The last two games, though, came against Penn State and Maryland. Michigan won those 24-15 and 31-24, respectively.

There have also been plenty of rumors around Harbaugh and Michigan in light of both NCAA investigations — one into the recruiting violations and statements Harbaugh made, and another one into sign-stealing allegations against Michigan, centered on former analyst Connor Stalions.

It’s led some to wonder what could be next for Harbaugh and the Wolverines, but he made it clear the focus is on Ohio State and getting back to the Big Ten Championship.

“All the focus is on Ohio State,” Harbaugh said. “This is where we’re at. That’s the focus. That’s part of the life lesson, to focus on the task in front of you. When you got a task in front of you, it’s a big task. You got to use every day, every hour, every minute. Plan, practice, get yourself right. Get yourself in position to go out there and play to the best of your ability.”