Ranking all eight of Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan football teams

4. 2018

Nov 3, 2018; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson (2) rushes in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After failing to meet expectations in 2017, Jim Harbaugh and Co. bounced back with a massive performance in 2018. Like in 2015, the Wolverines went on the road and lost (to No. 12 Notre Dame) in Week 1.

After Michigan’s touchdown loss in South Bend, the Wolverines strung together a massive 10-game win streak, which included blowout wins over many of the Big Ten’s best teams.

In what could be the most impressive 3-game stretch of the Jim Harbaugh era, the Wolverines defeated No. 15 Wisconsin (38-13), No. 24 Michigan State (21-7), and No. 14 Penn State (42-7) all in a row. The Wolverines’ win over Indiana helped Michigan football climb as high as No. 4 in the College Football Playoff poll; however, a 62-39 loss in Columbus was a dark reality check for the Wolverines.

Michigan saw many opt-outs come bowl season, which eventually led to a 41-15 loss at the hands of the Florida Gators in the Peach Bowl. For the third time in Harbaugh’s first four seasons, Michigan football finished top 15 with a 10-3 record. Though U-M lost to Ohio State, the Big Ten recognizes Michigan as co-champions of the Big Ten East Division in 2018.

FINAL RECORD: No. 14, 10-3 (8-1 Big Ten), lost to No. 10 Florida in Peach Bowl.