Chicago Sun-Times

No. 5 Michigan being overlooked

With spotlight on Harbaugh, team’s success obscured

- Paul Myerberg @ paulmyerbe­rg USA TODAY Sports

Michigan has made headlines through the first four weeks of the regular season, if largely for the same reasons the Wolverines drew attention during the long summer months: Because Jim Harbaugh said something, anything, or because Harbaugh did this on the sideline or did that.

It’s par for the course. It’s also unfair, in more ways than one. Maybe criticized isn’t the right word; that’s probably too strong. But column space has been wasted taking note of Harbaugh’s non- stop promotion of his own brand and the Michigan brand, a fact that detracts from, you know, the football part of things.

And when it comes to football — and just football — the Wolverines are flying under the radar. While Ohio State, Alabama, Louisville and others have been celebrated for their play, Michigan has largely failed to garner the same praise.

The No. 5 Wolverines are ranked appropriat­ely but are not mentioned in the same breath as college football’s elite. That shouldn’t be the case.

Four games, four wins, four blowouts: Hawaii, Central Florida, Colorado and Penn State. Ignore Hawaii, which is finding its way under a new coach. UCF is 2- 2, with an overtime loss to Maryland preceding a blowout against Florida Internatio­nal.

Colorado showed its credential­s in beating Oregon. Penn State is still a seven- win team; the Wolverines just made the Nittany Lions look like the worst team in the Big Ten. Admittedly, it’s not a murderers’ row.

But the team is doing what good teams do against inferior competitio­n, just as Ohio State did vs. Bowling Green and Tulsa or what Alabama did vs. Kent State. The Wolverines looked the part of a national contender.

Heading into the weekend, Michigan is fourth nationally in scoring offense, tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns, tied for first in sacks, first in tackles for losses, 13th in scoring defense and 12th in passing defense. By various metrics — blocked kicks and punts, returns — the special teams have ranked among the nation’s best.

This is the picture of a complete team and very easily one of the best in college football.

Saturday’s matchup with No. 8 Wisconsin provides Michigan with an opportunit­y to make noise against a conference foe quickly rising in the Amway Coaches Poll. The Badgers defeated two top- 10 opponents in September, topping LSU in the opener and dismantlin­g Michigan State this past weekend.

Admittedly, Michigan has struggled in its prime- time pairings — not just under Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke, Harbaugh’s predecesso­rs, but also under Harbaugh; the Wolverines lost a year ago to Utah, Ohio State and Michigan State.

“We had a good year last year, but at the same time this is really our year to make a statement, to be consistent,” senior offensive lineman Ben Braden said.

Now is as good a time as any for Michigan to make a move into the spotlight — for reasons related solely to the Wolverines’ on- field performanc­e.

We know Michigan will draw attention, win or lose. With a win Saturday, the Wolverines would make headlines on their own merits: as one of the top teams in college football.

But based on four games, Michigan is already there.

 ?? RICK OSENTOSKI, USA TODAY SPORTS ?? Coach Jim Harbaugh, talking to running back Chris Evans, has led Michigan to four dominant victories this season.
RICK OSENTOSKI, USA TODAY SPORTS Coach Jim Harbaugh, talking to running back Chris Evans, has led Michigan to four dominant victories this season.

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