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Is there too much pressure being put on Michigan Wolverines football?

Jim Harbaugh wonders if — following a blowout win over Bowling Green — perhaps expectations for Michigan football to down opponents by 40 points per game are unrealistic.

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Michigan Wolverines football, Jim Harbaugh, Bowling Green
Sep 9, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) leads his team onto the field before the start of the game against the UNLV Rebels during the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Over the weekend, Michigan Wolverines football won its third game of the year, this time downing Bowling Green under the lights at Michigan Stadium. Heading into Big Ten play this weekend, the Wolverines are 3-0, winning by 27 points, 28 points, and 25 points, respectively. That said, many fans feel that Michigan has underperformed thus far, leading head coach Jim Harbaugh to pose an important question — are expectations of blowout wins too much to put on these kids every week?

Are expectations too high for Michigan Wolverines football?

Last weekend’s game against Bowling Green was an ugly win, but still a win. Heading into next weekend’s contest against Rutgers, which will start Big Ten play and mark the return of Jim Harbaugh for the Wolverines, fans seem to want more from the offense, perhaps breaking 40 points for the first time this year.

Still, Jim Harbaugh wonders if maybe these massive expectations — where fans are never happy, even with a 25-point win — are too much to put on the players.

“… I don’t know — watching it from the perspective I had, maybe there has been too much being put on the players, and they gotta win by 40 points or 30 points or 25 points. That’s a lot,” Michigan Wolverines football head coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier today. “And, you know, make sure that make sure our team knows that that’s the goal, to win the game. You know, (the next goal) is that — you pray for this, and your hope for this is that — you come out of the game with no injuries. And (after that) is where you start to get greedy.

“I want the defense to be the best,” Harbaugh continued. “I want the offense to be the best. I want the special teams to be the best. Then I get even more greedy. You know, I want each position group to be the best, and then each individual player to be the best. Hey, that’s what we want, that’s where we want to go, that’s what we want to be about. And so we’re gonna chase it. We’re gonna keep chasing that perfection.”

Jim Harbaugh further emphasized that, when it comes to Michigan football, he just wants to win.

“… So many feelings of ‘Just win — just win the game.’ As I’m watching that, I’m like, ‘(Just win) by one point!’ By one point is what we’re really after,” Harbaugh said.

Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines set to begin Big Ten play next weekend after Bowling Green win

Next Saturday, Michigan football will look to improve to 4-0 for the third season in a row. The Wolverines will welcome the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0) to the Big House, and for the first time this year, Jim Harbaugh will be in the building on game day.



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CJ has covered college athletics in paid roles for around five years, including numerous sports and beats. His most recent work revolves largely around Penn State and Michigan football and basketball as a member of the credentialed media at both schools. Right now, CJ writes for Blue by Ninety, where he also serves as the site's credentialed football reporter. He also does some credentialed basketball coverage. Previously, CJ has made stops with sites like GBMWolverine, Saturday Blitz, Steeler Nation, and more.

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