Jim Harbaugh, Michigan using 2021 MSU loss as motivation: 'Nobody's watched that game more than we have'

Michigan Wolverines football‘s 37-33 loss to Michigan State in 2021 marked the second straight for U-M against the in-state foe. The Maize and Blue were favored but lost in East Lansing, before marching to the Big Ten championship and a College Football Playoff appearance.

Almost a year later, the Wolverines and Spartans will meet under the lights at The Big House. And while “revenge” isn’t as much of a factor as game plan, coaching and execution, yes, Michigan is using the 2021 setback as fuel.

“Oh yeah. We watch it,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said on the Inside Michigan Football radio show Monday night. “Nobody’s watched the highlights of that game or the film of that game more than we have.

“We watch it; also this year’s tape, etc., but you really want to just know them. You want to master what they’re doing so you can use it against them. And I’m sure they’re doing the same thing up the road — no question about it.”

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Coming into the season, Harbaugh and the Michigan players revealed that the Wolverines have emphasized the in-state series more. The head man declared at Big Ten Media Days that one of his team’s four goals was to beat Michigan State, along with topping Ohio State, winning the Big Ten championship and being crowned national champions.

Both teams had a bye last week and have had 14 days to prepare for Saturday’s matchup. Harbaugh said the intensity will be at a high level, as it always has been, and always will be.

“It’s going to be a physical game. Situational football is going to play in big,” Harbaugh explained. “Not making penalties … everybody talks about how ramped up it’s going to be, but coaching that, too, because anything could swing a game like this.

“In every aspect, getting as prepared as possible. And you might even say like, that’s what you should be doing every week — and that’s what we do. We do that every single week. Win the next game — that’s our approach. If things have tailed off in any regard that way, it just shoots right back up to 10 out of 10 — everybody all hands on deck for this one.”

Whether it’s been Michigan State players twisting Denard Robinson‘s helmet after the play, or Spartan defender William Gholston throwing a punch on Taylor Lewan or MSU defensive lineman Jacub Panasiuk committing a late hit on Shea Patterson … there are some extracurriculars in the series, mostly started by the Green and White. It’ll be a key for Michigan to respond accordingly, emphasizing not picking up penalties for retaliation.

“It’s a huge situation. It’s as important as any other situation that you can possibly think of,” Harbaugh said of keeping emotions in check. “It’s, in fact, the second guy — the guy that retaliates — who gets called for the penalty.

“You just keep showing the clips over and over and over again, and talking about it. As much discipline as that takes not to react with somebody throwing the punch or giving you the late push or said something to you or whatever, that, to me, is as situational as situational football gets.”

Big games like this one are why Michigan players come to play for the Wolverines, host Jon Jansen said. It’s what gets Harbaugh revved up, too.

“It’s the best part,” the coach said. “When competition is the best part, this is the best part, these rivalry games.”

Here are some more highlights from the Michigan coach’s appearance on his radio show Monday evening:

On Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne

“He’s an accurate thrower. Really good stature in the pocket, but slippery getting out of the pocket. He can run. He throws well on the run.

“Has a lot of experience and played really well against us. I expect him to be confident.

“We’re going to have to play good — it just comes down to that, whether it’s defending them or if we’re on offense or if we’re on special teams. We’re going to have to play good, we’re going to have to play our best. I know I say that every week, but it’s so true that you gotta play good.”

On Michigan State wideout Jayden Reed

“Fast, plucks the ball out of the air. He’s as good as anybody at the 50-50 balls. He goes up and gets it, tracks it extremely well. Good runner with the ball after the catch, and he doesn’t go down easy, either. He’s not looking to get out of bounds — he’s always making a cut, always keeping it alive. So gotta cover him.”

On who sticks out on the Spartan defense

“Their front, they’ve got guys that are strong. They’ve got the strong guy, they’ve got the really good pass rush guy. They’ve got … No. 4 [linebacker Jacoby Windmon] has an incredible knack at getting the ball out, punching the ball and creating turnovers. He’s been moved around a little bit, and you can tell maybe he’s at his best position now.

“There’s experience — seniors, fifth-year seniors, sixth-year seniors. Very good group, and healthy group now. It’ll create a big challenge.”

On Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy having played in last year’s matchup with MSU

“I think every game he plays, all the time on task that he’s playing, he’s learning. And he doesn’t repeat mistakes, and he doesn’t linger on them, either. I think it’s good. He’s got some good experience under his belt.

“J.J.’s always out there, you don’t have to worry about J.J. being ready to play. He’s got a bounce in his step — and he does every day. I wish I could tell you it’s different this week, but it’s not with him. You could be having a walkthrough, and he’s like a kid in a candy store with a bounce in his step and champing at the bit to play.”