With Saturday's 14-10 loss to Michigan State, Michigan has now dropped a total of seven games during Jim Harbaugh's two-plus years in Ann Arbor.
One of the factors that has allowed Harbaugh to compile a 24-7 record during his time at U-M, though, is that his teams haven't endured any prolonged losing streaks. In fact, the Wolverines have only lost back-to-back games one time under him — versus Ohio State in the regular-season finale and Florida State in the Orange Bowl to close out the 2016 season.
Here's a look at each loss during the Harbaugh era, and the ensuing game's result:
Some may argue that Michigan has a 5-1 record after losses since 2015 because it has faced poor competition in its ensuing game, but that is certainly not the case.
All the teams in the "following game" category above (prior to 2017) played in bowl games in the respective year listed, with the exception of Oregon State in 2015.
Moreover, the Florida squad Michigan demolished 41-7 in the Citrus Bowl following the 2015 season finished 10-4, won the SEC East and ended the year with a No. 25 ranking in the AP poll.
The Gator team that Michigan defeated 33-17 in this year's season-opener also held a national ranking, sitting at No. 17 at the time of the game. They were back in the national rankings, at No. 21, before last weekend's 17-16 loss to LSU.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect regarding the way Michigan has responded from losses, though, isn't who it has beaten, but instead the resiliency it has shown. Almost all the losses on the list came in games of incredibly high magnitude in which plenty was at stake.
For example, the 2015 loss to Michigan State was the Wolverines' first in Big Ten play that year and put a halt to the five-game winning streak they were on at the time. To lose in heartbreaking fashion on a botched punt would break the morale of countless teams, but the Wolverines showed "steel" in its spine and grit in their next game, winning at Minnesota on a goal-line stand.
Michigan was humbled by Ohio State in blowout fashion later that season, ending any hopes of a Big Ten East title. Despite not winning its division, Michigan played with passion and heart a few weeks later in its Citrus Bowl game against Florida, when it demolished the Gators 41-7.
When the Wolverines traveled to Iowa City on Nov. 12 last year , they were 9-0 and No. 3 in the country, with hopes of a conference title and potential playoff berth on the line. Michigan lost on a game-ending field goal, but remained focused and beat Indiana the following week, 20-10.
The Maize and Blue's 14-10 loss to MSU this past Saturday was as disappointing as any of the aforementioned losses on the list. The question now becomes whether they will show the same resiliency this weekend against Indiana that they've displayed in recent years.
By the Numbers: Michigan at Indiana
3 Former Michigan players/coaches currently on Indiana's staff. Former U-M running back Mike Hart works with the same position in Bloomington, while former Wolverine signal-caller Nick Sheridan coaches the quarterbacks. Mike DeBord, who ran Michigan's offense from 1997-1999 and from 2006-2007, holds the same position with the Hoosiers.
6 Passing touchdowns for former quarterback Jake Rudock in Michigan's 48-41 double-overtime victory at Indiana in 2015. Rudock's six scoring tosses are the most by a U-M signal-caller in a single game in school history.
67th Is where Indiana's rush defense ranks nationally, allowing 152 yards per game on the ground. If there was ever a week for Michigan's rushing attack to get on track, this would be the time to do so.
82 Degrees for a projected high on Saturday in Bloomington, along with mostly sunny skies, which will make for an unseasonably hot mid-October day.
213 Yards per game Michigan's defense is allowing this season, which is the lowest mark in the country. In fact, the next-best statistical defense is Washington, which is allowing 228 yards per game.
369 Receiving yards for former Michigan wideout Jeremy Gallon in the Wolverines' 63-47 shootout win over the Hoosiers in 2013. Not only did Gallon set the single-game school receiving record that day, he shattered it; the previous high had been held by Roy Roundtree against Illinois in 2010, with 246.
503 Passing yards for former quarterback Devin Gardner in Michigan's aforementioned 63-47 victory over Indiana in 2013 at The Big House. Gardner's 503 yards are the most ever by a U-M quarterback in a single game.
1987 Was the last time Michigan lost to Indiana, falling 14-10 in Bloomington. The Wolverines have absolutely dominated the Hoosiers in the all-time series, holding a 56-9 advantage, with victories in 36 of the last 37 meetings.
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