Greg Schiano: Michigan 'could be easily ranked No. 1' ... 'utmost respect' for Jim Harbaugh

No. 2 Michigan football will open the Big Ten season against a Rutgers program that’s given the Wolverines a test each of the last three seasons. The Wolverines needed triple-overtime to win 48-42 in 2020. Michigan escaped in the Big Ten opener in 2021, winning 20-13 before going on a conference championship run, and was down 17-14 at halftime in Piscataway last November, prior to pulling away for a 52-17 victory and again winning the league.

For the third straight season, Rutgers is 3-0, after wins over Northwestern (24-7), Temple (36-7) and Virginia Tech (35-16). Head coach Greg Schiano, in his fourth season of his second stint in Piscataway, knows what kind of “great challenge” lies ahead for his group on both sides of the ball.

“No. 2 team in the country. Probably could be easily ranked No. 1; they are that good,” Schiano said of Michigan. “There’s absolutely no weaknesses in this team.”

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The Michigan offense flashed its ability to be dynamic in the early going, with junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy shining in the first two games (558 yards, 5 touchdowns, just 7 incompletions) before throwing 3 interceptions for the first time in his career against Bowling Green last weekend. The Wolverines have three returning starters on the offensive line, a Heisman Trophy contender in senior running back Blake Corum and other weapons. Rutgers has been strong defensively this season, slotting seventh in the country with 10 points per game allowed — and defense is Schiano’s calling card — but Michigan has firepower, Schiano noted.

“When you look at what they have, their offensive line, two-time reigning Joe Moore Offensive Line of the Year, an experienced quarterback who can both run and throw accurately, deep, do all the things — he’s a future first-rounder at quarterback,” Schiano said. “They have two running backs that are as good as anybody’s in the country. A slew of receivers, tight ends.”

Rutgers has rushed the ball well at the beginning of this season, averaging 210.7 yards per game on the ground (20th nationally), and registered 31.7 points per outing. But Michigan has hardly ceded anything to opposing offenses from East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green, leading the country with 5.3 points per contest allowed.

“Flip it over to defense: Their defensive line is maybe the best in the country. Big, physical, deep. Linebackers run and hit. Secondary covers well. Kicking game, they have specialists that are arguably the best in the nation. So definitely a tall order, but we need to make sure we take care of us. That’s what we need to do and that’s what we’ll do in preparation, and then great opportunity to go out to Ann Arbor and go play. So looking forward to it.”

It’s impressive that the Scarlet Knights have played Michigan tough in recent years, but Schiano isn’t sure there’s some secret formula.

“If I knew what was missing, I would have employed it and done it and hopefully won the game,” he said. “But yeah, one thing about our guys, they work so hard, and they are so focused that given the opportunity, they are going to be ready to go. Will it be good enough? Heck, I don’t know. But we are going to go give it everything we’ve got.

Rutgers went 2-4 away from home last season and is set for its first road trip of the year in Ann Arbor this weekend. Schiano will relish the opportunity to play at Michigan again.

“I love going on the road, especially the first time when you take your 74 guys you’re allowed to bring and your staff, and it’s just you and you go on the road,” Schiano said. “Nothing like it. When you come out of that tunnel and everybody is against you and it’s just your guys, that’s a special feeling, one that I think every athlete that’s done it appreciates it and enjoys it. Again, great opportunity. Coached there many times. Excited about the chance.”

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will return to the sideline Saturday, after missing the first three games with a school-imposed suspension stemming from an alleged NCAA violation. Schiano and Harbaugh have coached against each other in the NFL — Harbaugh’s 49ers beat Schiano’s Buccaneers, 33-14, in 2013 — and four times in college. The two have a lot of mutual respect for one another.

“I have a lot of respect for Jim,” Schiano said. “He’s an excellent football coach, knows how to get the most out of his organization. I don’t have a close relationship. It’s more professional. But ultimate respect.”

Michigan is 8-1 all time against Rutgers, having won the last eight meetings. Kickoff on Saturday is set for noon ET at The Big House.