From 49-22 to 89-25
I know we've already done a 'thanks Jim' thread tonight, but reading a summary article on On3 this jumped out at me....
"Harbaugh went 89-25 at Michigan, winning three Big Ten championships and the 2023 national title"
In just three short years that number went from 49-22 to 89-25. It's hard to really describe how blessed we've been as fans over the past three years. It's super easy to get caught up in the moment. What does this change mean for the program. What does the timing mean? Recruits! Transfers! How will all of these question marks turn to periods?
49 to 89, great numbers. How about some other numbers?
1516 - It's been 1516 days since Ohio State beat Michigan. That number will be over 1800 until they even get another shot at it.
1036 - When Michigan kicks off the season this fall against Fresno St, it'll have been 1,036 days since this team lost a regular season game.
1 billion - Michigan winning The Game three years in a row and a National Championship, literally BROKE Ohio fans souls so much they're resorting to spending (not really) 1 billion dollars on players. Interestingly, this is the same plan that TAMU has been using to win their recent National Championships.
16 - Speaking of... It's been 16 days since Michigan was crowned undefeated, undisputed best team in the entire land, National Champion.
2 - A feat so rare, only 2 "northern" teams schools have pulled off this accomplishment in 35 years (Ohio and Michigan).
Maybe this attempt at a little context of the moment isn't the right time, but I for one, will continue to sleep with a smile for at least the next 8 months knowing that only one is the "reigning National Champions." Our Michigan Wolverines.
January 24th, 2024 at 9:32 PM ^
Love this thread...still gotta be that guy and say '94 and '95 Nebraska were in "the north" especially because that was the old Big 8 days
January 24th, 2024 at 9:46 PM ^
I appreciate that the 35 year cutoff now no longer includes Notre Dame!
January 24th, 2024 at 10:04 PM ^
Yeah, I saw that as a factoid/tweet the other day and thought it worth sharing. My guess is because Nebraska was a Big 8 team (regionally considered "Texas south") at the time, they're not "northern". Whether or not they're technically southern either? Probably not. But more easily included in the "north" once they joined the B1G.
Haha, I'll take it. And yep... sorry Notre Dame, since 88 is a nice 35-year line to draw.
January 25th, 2024 at 4:57 PM ^
Just FYI, Nebraska was in the Big 8 in 1994 and the Big 12 in 1995 (Big 8+Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor & Texas Tech).
January 25th, 2024 at 10:33 PM ^
I think the Big 12 started in '96? For some reason that date is sorta seared in my head...going to google it for sure
January 26th, 2024 at 1:26 PM ^
Fuck Nebraska.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:01 PM ^
After hearing so much about how Harbaugh couldn't beat anyone worth beating, the last three years:
3-0 Ohio State
3-0 Penn State
2-1 Michigan State
7-3 against top 10 opponents (Ohio State 2021, Penn State 2022, Ohio State 2022, Penn State 2023, Ohio State 2023, Alabama 2023, Washington 2023).
You're right though, the 49 to 89 in 3 years is pretty remarkable. What is the best 3 year stretch since let's say 1950? 1971-1973 Michigan was 31-2-1, but no national titles and lost and tied to OSU.
Incredible run.
January 25th, 2024 at 3:23 PM ^
We also were 1-1-1 against OSU in that stretch, with our only other loss being the Rose Bowl to Stanford. Pretty certain we just witnessed the best stretch of M football since 1950. And one of the greatest Big Ten teams ever, and on a short list of best teams from "The North" in the past 50 years
January 25th, 2024 at 10:56 PM ^
These are great points. I don’t think there was ever a better 3 year stretch. Heck, let’s try to make it 4!
January 24th, 2024 at 10:02 PM ^
And, since the National Championship game next year isn't played until Jan 20, 2025, and because 2024 is a leap year, we will be National Champions for longer than any team ever has been.
379 days.
Leaders and Best.
January 25th, 2024 at 2:59 PM ^
Well, except for Georgia and other repeat champs.
And maybe a vote here for "and since we'll win the next one too, and next one isn't played till mid Jan 2026, longest!" - or at least there's a chance.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:12 PM ^
Love me some numbers! These are good ones…
January 25th, 2024 at 1:05 AM ^
Enjoyed this perspective. How can I be mad? Team 144, 1/8/24, the Rose bowl, these are things I will never forget in my lifetime. The culmination of a decade of good work.
January 25th, 2024 at 2:04 AM ^
The most shocking number is 16. I cannot believe it has only been 16 days since we won't the national championship. It feels like it's already settled and aged.
January 25th, 2024 at 9:07 AM ^
Lotsa good numbers. Thanks for posting.
January 25th, 2024 at 9:29 AM ^
While it will be exceedingly difficult for the next coach to maintain or exceed Harbaugh's accomplishments over the past 3 years (hell, it would be really difficult for Harbaugh to maintain or exceed them had he stayed), there is still room for improvement.
Here's to hoping that the next coach will find ways to 1) raise the level and consistency of the offense, 2) get the team to perform closer to its peak after long layoffs, and 3) recruit (while continuing to develop) more high ceiling players.
January 25th, 2024 at 12:51 PM ^
Lotta quality numbers there for Harbs.
End of it all: #1! CHAMPS!
FOVER GO BLUE!
January 25th, 2024 at 2:53 PM ^
This compares to Bo's W/L record from 1971-1974. He went 11-1 in '71 then 10-1 in '72 then 10-0-1 in '73 and 10-1 in '74 for 41-3-1. Jim won 40 games in only 3 years due to more games played. Bo went 30-2-1 in the latter 3 years ('72, '73 & '74).
January 25th, 2024 at 8:54 PM ^
Problem is, Michigan lost their only bowl game and were 1-2-1 against Ohio State.
January 25th, 2024 at 3:01 PM ^
Well done. GO BLUE!
January 25th, 2024 at 3:48 PM ^
"this is the same plan that TAMU has been using to win their recent National Championships."
This line was so good.
Unrelated, in about an hour I will be at the Big House for a real estate event. Cocktails in the suites, locker room and tunnel visits, chance to go on the field. Total boner.
January 26th, 2024 at 8:17 AM ^
Shouldn't be 89 wins, some of those belong to Moore. I'd argue half the national championship belongs to Moore as the HC. Harbaugh was a part time employee this year and at times a distraction...the coaching was done by the Moore.
Paints not even dry on the trophies and Harbaugh is already off making it about Harbaugh as usual. Harbaugh is gone for good so why don't we let's focus on "those who stay" because he clearly didn't.
Comments