Newsstand: ESPN analysts blame Jim Harbaugh for Fiesta Bowl loss
Michigan football ended the 2022 season with a loss to TCU in the Fiesta Bowl as the favorite, which has no doubt stung in the days since it happened. It was not part of the plan to head home early, squandering a chance at a national championship.
Unfortunately, it was part of a trend for head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines. Michigan is now 1-6 in bowl games under Harbaugh, which is now the part of his resume that sticks out like a sore thumb. And there are plenty taking the low-hanging fruit.
“A couple of things we know about,” ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum said. “This is the day after New Year’s. Right around this time every year, we all anticipate the ball dropping in Times Square, and we also anticipate Jim Harbaugh choking a postseason game.
“This is the sixth straight time it’s happened at Michigan. Why is anyone surprised? I listen to the same thing you did last week, and I kept wondering…is this the same Jim Harbaugh? Well, it’s been the same Jim Harbaugh during the regular season, and it’s Postseason Jim all over again.”
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ESPN’s Heather Dinich agreed, saying that Michigan was outcoached by Sonny Dykes and TCU.
“The reality is they were out-coached. They were out-coached! When you start that game and Max Duggan is doing what he does, I’m sitting there and I’m like, ‘wait, I know he’s going to run then ball, how does Michigan look so unprepared?’ 3-13 on third downs. I mean, wow. Then you have the two pick-sixes.
“At the end of the game, you have your quarterback looking right, you have the snap going wrong, and everything just seemed to be discombobulated. And that goes back on the coaches—some questionable play calls. And Jim Harbaugh, to his credit, he did say that he would like to have that call back again, the trick play on fourth down. You go inside the five twice when you’re Michigan and come away with zip? I mean, that’s on the coaching.”
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Michigan quote of the day
“The energy was a big reason why we got to a good start on both ends of the floor. Our guys were really in tune to getting out defensively and being disruptive. They were very in tune to eliminating our opponents to one-shot opportunities because of last game. It was lovely to see the team responding to being the most dialed in, being physical, doing it without fouling and at the same time bringing the effort.”
– Michigan head coach Juwan Howard on win over Maryland on Sunday
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TCU played the disrespect card, and coach Sonny Dykes let everyone know it
