Michigan Football News & Views: Is 'Old Harbaugh' Back? Can U-M Pass?

Jim Harbaugh has led his Michigan Wolverines football team to a 2-0 record, and while there are bigger tests to come, there's plenty to like. Harbaugh seems to have gotten his mojo back ... we discuss that and more developments in this week's News & Views segment.

NEWS: Harbaugh went viral for his comments on Michigan's dominant, run-heavy offense that blew Washington away in a 31-10 victory, after which several openly suggested the "old Jim Harbaugh" was back.

RELATED: Harbaugh On Run Game: 'George Patton Got His Job Done on the Ground,' Too

RELATED: How Michigan's 'Beat Ohio Drill' Has Upped The Wolverines' Physicality

HARBAUGH: "I heard a little bit of noise about, 'Why so much running? You've got to throw more,' that kind of thing. There are a lot of ways to travel. Some people choose to travel on the ground; some people by air. George Patton was able to get his job done on the ground; Neil Armstrong through the air.

"Last Saturday night, we chose to grind it out on the ground and were also able to get our mission accomplished. There are a lot of ways to expand — play action. You want your opponent to know and understand there are multiple ways — and they know — to travel."

VIEWS: This is right up there with not eating much chicken because it's a "nervous bird," etc. And it was fun.

There were signs even this summer that Harbaugh seemed to be his 'old self,' more engaged, hands on and — very likely — eager to prove that last year's 2-4, COVID-season record in which some of his top players sat out was a fluke.

He lost weight and is back where he was when he retired from the NFL two decades ago. He seems more energized, more engaged on the sidelines ... frankly, just happier, and the culture seems much better as a result.

At the same time, you don't really know much until you face some adversity (and some better football teams — often, the two go hand in hand). The defense looks fast and organized under first-year coordinator Mike Macdonald, the offensive line dominated with its combo blocks and different looks up front, and the kicking game looks outstanding.

At the same time ...

NEWS: Michigan redshirt freshman quarterback Cade McNamara threw for only 43 yards in the victory over the Huskies. While his opportunities were limited, he wasn't as cool and collected as he'd been in past games.

HARBAUGH: "He’s really become the coach on the field. He does a tremendous job. He executed pretty darn well. A couple of things: nobody plays a perfect game. You strive for it, but there are more things to coach, [which is] also a good thing, offense, defense and special teams.

"I thought he turned in another real solid performance."

VIEWS: This might be true, but other than last year's Rutgers game and a few big passes against Western Michigan, the offense they've asked him to run hasn't exactly been 'Air Cade.' Like the Penn State game a year ago, it was very conservative against Washington ... passes to the flats, bubble screens, dinks and dunks, and very few shots downfield.

McNamara looked frustrated at times, even as the line mauled the Huskies' front and the running backs dominated.

What they did Saturday was great — don't confuse that for a complaint — but as deep as we've heard the receiver room is (and seems to be), there hasn't been a lot of separation on routes minus Ronnie Bell. The junior receiver was the best route runner, deep threat, blocker ... you don't just replace that.

But you can 'scheme' guys open, and that doesn't seem to be this staff's strength, at least at this point.

Still ...

NEWS: Michigan owned time of possession against Washington by controlling the game on the ground, essentially from start to finish.

HARBAUGH: "Points per possession ... that’s the big one ... and not turning the football over. Those are the main factors. Trying to get possession is nine-tenths of the law; I think I read that. Making the most out of those possessions is key.

"You’re able to use more time, keep your defense fresh, off the field. That’s a really good consequence — intended consequence, unintended consequence — one of those two things you really could factor, but the main factor is points per possession, points per drive."

VIEWS: Keep in mind, Washington hadn't give up 35 or more points in 66 straight games, and if not for being stopped an inch short of the goal line on one drive, the Wolverines might well have gotten there.

The Huskies have several all-conference players on their defense, but not much depth. Michigan is going to have a harder time against Wisconsin, etc., but let's be clear — that was as impressive a running performance as you're going to see, and 31 points is 31 points, no matter how you get there.

But teams will adjust, and Michigan will need to be able to throw the ball. That's just a fact. You need explosive plays in this day and age, and some of them will need to come in the passing game, too.

Time will tell if the Wolverines have that ability.

NEWS: The offensive line took a huge step forward in week two after being solid in week one.

HARBAUGH: "It’s been something they’ve embraced, going back into spring ball. The 9-on-7 drill, it’s an inside run type of drill where you’re not running any trick plays, defenses aren’t running any games or twists. It’s who can block a man, who can get off a block. You’re basically running three types of running plays."

VIEWS: They were really good at the point of attack against a solid line Saturday, and if you want to criticize the coordinators for the passing game, you've got to give them credit for the run-game adjustments.

Washington started crashing the ends to clog the middle, at which point coordinators Josh Gattis, Sherrone Moore and Co. started exploiting the 'C' gaps outside the tackles. They racked up big play after big play, and for the first time in a while, the post-halftime adjustments seemed perfect. Eight runs, 73 yards and a touchdown and complete domination up front with variety — combo blocks, counters, pulling both the tackle and the end from the other side — it was crisp.

There are bigger tests to come (Wisconsin, maybe even Rutgers), but these guys play with an edge, led by a vastly improved center in veteran Andrew Vastardis. They need frosh guard Zak Zinter in there — he was a huge upgrade Saturday night after playing only 16 snaps a week earlier — but these guys work extremely well with one another for not having played together a lot.

Credit the backs, too, led by RBs coach Mike Hart for their patience and seeing the holes, etc. Blake Corum's acceleration is a sight to behold ... for those who can't quite appreciate how fast he is, check this out:

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