You remember what Jim Harbaugh used to say.
The most important game is the next game.
Every game is a championship game.
Early in Harbaugh's tenure, he took the same public approach to Ohio State as he did to a non-conference opponent in September. And his players largely followed suit. That was before Michigan lost five straight to the Buckeyes, before it was steamrolled again and again. That was before former OSU quarterback Justin Fields said after the 56-27 rout in 2019, "I just think it means more for Ohio State." Aggregate score through five matchups: Ohio State 221-Michigan 126.
So the Wolverines are changing their tune.
At Big Ten media days Thursday, Harbaugh said Michigan will beat Ohio State -- and win a Big Ten championship -- 'or die trying.' He later acknowledged to reporters that the Buckeyes "are on top of the perch and somebody's gotta knock 'em off. And why not us? Let it be us and let us do everything in our power to get that done."
Senior defensive end Aidan Hutchinson said the Wolverines decided this offseason "to put more emphasis on Ohio State and that's because of Coach Harbaugh." He said "we have a lot of things (in the facility), whether that be signs, whether that be other things that remind us of Ohio State."
He said "we've never done some of the things we've done." He said "we are emphasizing it in ways you cannot imagine."
Hutchinson also said it helps to have "new blood" on the coaching staff like former Michigan running back Mike Hart "who has played in the rivalry and hates these guys as much as we do." Same goes for new safeties coach and former Michigan receiver Ron Bellamy.
Senior running back Hassan Haskins said the team's collective focus is on Ohio State. He said "that game right there is definitely on top of the list. We've been working every day for that game. It's gonna be a good one."
And senior linebacker Josh Ross said the Wolverines are "stacking the days" in preparation for one Saturday in November.
"It's about stacking today and having a purpose -- and our purpose is to beat Ohio State," he said. "What are we doing today? I'm going to have the best workout today, I'm going to have the best practice. Just stack them days of that mindset and we're going to be where we want to be."
They players can say all they want. Ultimately, the scoreboard speaks the loudest. They know this, and so does Harbaugh. But finally Michigan seems to be dedicating the same level of energy to The Game as its rival. We'll see Nov. 27 if the Wolverines level up on the field.
"Look, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we're just now realizing that Ohio State is our rival," said Hutchinson. "We've always thought of Ohio State, we always can't wait for that game at the end of November. It's not like because they have their stuff in their facilities that makes them want it more than us. That's not the case.
It's just this season, we're putting a little more into it. Visually, mentally, we're doing things that are emphasizing it."
