Michigan football: Jim Harbaugh on what he's thankful for, 'great coach' Ryan Day, more

Michigan Wolverines football head coach Jim Harbaugh made his weekly appearance on the ‘Inside Michigan Football’ radio show Monday evening ahead of his 11-0 team’s showdown with fellow unbeaten power Ohio State.

The Big Ten East Division title is on the line, and there are major College Football Playoff implications. The Maize and Blue are looking for their second straight win over the Buckeyes, after winning 42-27 at The Big House in 2021.

“It’s an honor to be in this position and playing in this game, playing for a championship,” Harbaugh said to host Jon Jansen. ‘I’m most thrilled that our guys are excited about the test. Because we are going to get tested. It’s going to be the toughest test of the year.

“But we’ll find out what our limits are — physically, mentally, spiritually — and I think we’re made of the right stuff, and I think you’re going to see that.”

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He added that he “thinks” last year’s win gives his Michigan team confidence heading into this game.

Ohio State touts the Heisman Trophy favorite in quarterback C.J. Stroud, who’s thrown 204 completions for 2,991 yards and 35 touchdowns with 4 interceptions on 307 attempts. His high-level receiving corps is led by wideout Marvin Harrison Jr., who’s racked up 65 grabs for 1,037 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“They’ve got a tremendous quarterback, tremendous receivers, a really good offensive line, outstanding running backs,” Harbaugh said. “They’re very good. They’re very explosive. They’re playing at a super high level.

“Gotta stop ‘em, gotta cover ‘em, gotta build that run wall and get pressure on the quarterback.”

Just days after Michigan manhandled Ohio State in 2021, head coach Ryan Day — who was gifted a winning program in 2019 after former head man Urban Meyer resigned in disgrace — fired defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs and hired Jim Knowles from Oklahoma State.

After ranking 59th nationally in total defense a year ago, the Buckeyes have improved to No. 9 in the land through 11 games this year. They’ve disguised more of their fronts and coverages, and have strived to be more physical.

“Opportunistic defense,” the Michigan coach said. “Seventeen turnovers on the year — 10 by interception, caused like 16 fumbles and recovered six of those, I believe. And scored three touchdowns as a defense. 

“It’s really good. New defensive coordinator. It’s somewhat different. Man-to-man, a lot of man, but a little different than what we saw in Illinois. They play their system; they play it really well.”

Overall, Ohio State is a well-coached team, Harbaugh said.

“I think he’s a great coach,” Harbaugh said of Day. “The evidence is everywhere — it’s all over the tape. He does a tremendous job.

“They have great coaches, we have great coaches. They have great players, we have great players. They have Heisman guys, we’ve got Heisman guys. It’s like two superhero teams meeting on Saturday, and it’s coming Saturday.

“Today, we’re going to work on getting ready to prepare and get ready for that big ball game.”

Here are some more interesting tidbits from the Michigan coach on his Monday night radio show appearance.

On what he’s thankful for this Thanksgiving

“So grateful for this team — the way they’ve worked, the way they’ve earned it. I mean, they’ve paid the price. I’m so thankful for them, and just each day has been enjoyable, day to day.

“I’m thankful for my family. I’m thankful for my parents and all the things that they’ve instilled in me.

“And I’m thankful for the parents of all our players — the things that they have poured into each of their sons that, everything has been in preparation for this game.

“I wouldn’t be here without my parents, without the example that my dad and my mom and every time she’d take me to a practice or come watch a game. Just the discipline and the coaching, the parenting that they gave me. And I see that in every single one of our players. All of the things they’ve poured into it.

“They were born for this, and I can’t wait for them to have the opportunity to play in this game.”

On what Michigan players will do for Thanksgiving

“There will be nobody without a place to go.

“Our parents are so incredible. There are parents that are coming in, are cooking, that have rented an AirBnB or something. A bunch of players are going there, a bunch of players are going over somewhere else.

“We’re going to have a really nice get-together here, where all the players can come to practice on Thursday and then have meals after that. It’s a tight knit group, not only on the team but the parents. It’s a family.”

On defensive coordinator Jesse Minter being named a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, handed out to the nation’s top assistant

“It’s been tremendous. I actually nominated [strength coach] Ben Herbert as the Broyles finalist, but they came back and said that it had to be a position coach, and they picked Jesse Minter. Very deserving.

“As I was looking at it, Ben Herbert has had a huge impact on our team. [Co-offensive coordinator and line coach] Sherrone Moore — another great year that he’s had. I thought him and [co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach] Matt [Weiss] called a great game against Illinois. [Co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach] Steve Clinkscale is very deserving of that Broyles Award, as well. [Run game coordinator and running backs coach] Mike Hart, [Special teams coordinator and safeties coach] Jay Harbaugh, again, as the No. 1 special teams unit of the top 30 teams that are ranked.

“And Jesse has done an amazing job — no question about it. I think we got great coaches on our staff, and Jesse’s representing us, and we couldn’t be prouder.”