[jwplayer NG64abf5-XNcErKyb]
On Tuesday, on a panel on the ESPN morning show Get Up!, you’d think Desmond Howard would be the Michigan slappy predicting a Wolverines victory. But noted Northwestern alum said, ‘hold my morning beer.’
While Howard was present, along with noted-Jim Harbaugh nemesis Paul Finebaum, when the conversation turned to Michigan – Ohio State, it was longtime ESPN personality Mike Greenberg who predicted what many thought to be unthinkable just a month ago, picking the Wolverines to upset the Buckeyes in Ann Arbor on Saturday.
“I just have a feeling,” Greenberg said. “Just look at the way these two teams are trying to look — look at the way Jim Harbaugh has this team playing since halftime in that game against Penn State. I have a feeling that this weekend is the weekend that Harbaugh climbs Mt. Columbus.
“Michigan is going to beat Ohio State at The Big House on Saturday.”
But that’s not all.
With the 0-4 record against OSU, the ‘failure to win big games’ narrative that’s followed Harbaugh around since he arrived as the Wolverines head coach in 2015, it seems like it would be difficult to undo all of that in one game.
Not according to Greeny.
“I’ll take it a step farther,” Greenberg continued. “Harbaugh rewrites his entire narrative if he knocks this Ohio State team out of the playoff, which he might do. They might actually still make it with a loss against Michigan. But I’m telling you right now, he’s got a real good shot to beat them.”
Finebaum, naturally, had to chirp in — not disagreeing, but getting in a quick shot — because, of course.
“I hope you’re right, because I’m out of Harbaugh material!” Finebaum retorted. “I hope you’re right, because I’ve fired this guy like 19 times already! So, I hope you’re right. I said the same thing that you’re saying last year when they went to Columbus with a better team and then got smoked by Ohio State. That’s what makes me nervous.”
Howard finally had a say, disagreeing with Finebaum, noting that this Michigan team is better than last year’s edition. When it comes to Ohio State, though, the panel seemed to be in agreement that the Buckeyes looked human against the best competition they’ve faced thus far in Penn State.
Will it be enough? We’ll find out Saturday at noon EST.
Watch the entire clip HERE.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5]