Jim Harbaugh appeared on the weekly “Inside Michigan Football Radio Show” on Monday night at the Pizza House in Ann Arbor, and touched on several pressing topics in advance of Saturday’s season-opener.
Harbaugh first explained what his team’s main goal is for this weekend’s contest.
“We’re trying to get into midseason form before the first game, or at least as close to that as possible,” he said. “That’s the goal anyway — along with winning the game.”
Much has been made of the quarterback battle during fall camp, and although he refuses to name a starter, Harbaugh briefly talked about the two perceived leaders at the position.
“[Redshirt junior] Wilton [Speight] and [fifth-year senior] John [O’Korn] are both ‘go blue’ guys, and we believe in them,” he said. “Speight has made some big leaps, and has managed to climb to another level, as has John. The whole team is ascending and improving.”
Another player who is “ascending and improving” is sophomore defensive end Rashan Gary.
“What he does is au naturel,” Harbaugh exclaimed. “He leads by example, which is the best way to lead. The way he trains and works speaks volumes.”
Though just a sophomore, Gary gained valuable experience last year as a freshman. Several other sophomores saw valuable time last year as well, which was partly by design.
“The fact that we’ll play so many sophomores after sending so many guys to the NFL isn’t something we started thinking about last year on draft day,” Harbaugh joked. “There were a lot of freshmen we played, knowing the experience would be important for them this year.
“We knew we’d be a little thin in the senior and fifth-year class this season. [Sophomore linebacker] Khaleke Hudson, [redshirt sophomore safety] Jordan Glasgow, [sophomore cornerback] Lavert Hill and [sophomore cornerback] David Long were all being groomed when they saw time last year.”
Fifth-year senior linebacker Mike McCray is one of the few non-youngsters who is expected to play a major role for the Wolverines in 2017. McCray was named a captain on Saturday night, and his father was ironically a captain in college as well — at Ohio State.
“That’s a neat thing,” Harbaugh said. “Mr. McCray must be boring the heck out of the neighbors with how well Mike is doing. Several other guys on our team were worthy candidates as well — you look at the senior class, and it’s a really good group.”
The running back unit is one of the few positions on the team that has a solid mix of both youth and upperclassmen, and Harbaugh gave a lengthy update on all of them.
“[Sophomore] Chris [Evans] is one of my favorite hardest working ‘go blue’ guys on the team,” Harbaugh exclaimed. “[Fifth-year senior] Ty Isaac has had a really good camp as well. [Junior] Karan Higdon has been outstanding, and [redshirt freshman] Kareem Walker has really surfaced this year. [Sophomore] Tru Wilson has been great, and [freshman] O’maury Samuels is doing a nice job, while [freshman] Kurt Taylor is getting in there.
“Chris is the leader of the group right now, but Ty and Karan have pushed right up to him. You’ll catch Chris talking about football all the time. Randy Moss was always like that — I never once heard him talking about anything other than football. I would hear his voice around the corner and try and catch him talking about anything else,” Harbaugh concluded with a laugh.
Running backs weren’t the only position Harbaugh gave an update on though.
“[Redshirt freshman kicker] Quinn Nordin will be trotting out there to kick the first extra point and field goal,” he said. “Kyle Seychel and [junior] Ryan Tice have both been good too. [Junior] James Foug and Seychel will handle our kickoffs.”
Word spread quickly on Monday that Michigan would be wearing all maize uniforms for Saturday’s contest, and Harbaugh gave his thoughts on the alternate uniforms.
“I’m good with them. We didn’t design them though — I’m not a designer, that’s not what I do,” he laughed. “My wife would tell you I don’t have great taste anyway.
“It’s the 200-year anniversary of the school, so it has the school color maize in it, and it seemed like a good idea. We’ll find out on Saturday if it was or not.”
Florida coach Jim McElwain has been in the media several times over the last few weeks for his subtle jabs at the Wolverines, specifically involving Michigan’s refusal to release a roster. When asked if he and McElwain would talk much before the game, Harbaugh insisted he knew nothing of the controversy.
“Usually coaches are very busy with their duties before the game,” he said.
The radio host persisted though, asking Harbaugh if he would lend McElwain a CD copy of “Hail to the Victors.”
“I don’t know what your deal is,” Harbaugh laughed. “I have no problem with Jim — all we’re doing is coaching our ball teams. Am I missing something here?”
Judging by the interaction with the radio host, it’s clear Harbaugh is thinking the exact same thing Michigan fans everywhere are thinking — thankfully, there’s only five more days until the off-the-field shenanigans can be pushed aside, and some real, smash-mouth football can be played.
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