Terrific coach but hamstrung at Michigan due to recruiting realities against Ohio State. Harbaugh simply has a worse roster every year in that matchup and it's difficult to overcome. Urban Meyer already had a recruiting jumpstart when Harbaugh arrived...the connections and blueprint. Plus Meyer is a superior recruiter and more unethical recruiter to begin with, and he loads his staff similarly. Ohio is a greater recruiting hotbed than Michigan.
One advantage after another goes to the Buckeyes right now. If Harbaugh does leave it would be because he senses that, just like Jimmy Johnson understood the problem of being in a division with Peyton Manning when previously he enjoyed considerable talent edge with the Canes and Cowboys. Harbaugh does a great job emphasizing the proper variables like pass defense, and that dictates the majority of games, but he doesn't have the manpower of true powerhouses.
For a jolt of reality regarding how lopsided college recruiting can be, and why the same schools dominate every year, check out this link. Look particularly at the relationship between 5 star, 4 star and 3 star prospects by program. All you have to do in the case of Michigan and Ohio State is check out that relationship in 2018. Ohio State is loaded with 4 stars with a few 5 stars and only a spattering of 3 stars. Michigan had zero 5 stars and nearly twice as many 3 stars as 4 stars. Granted, 2018 was a weak recruiting year for Michigan but that single season can define a roster for years to come.
https://247sports.com/Season/2018-Football/CompositeTeamRankings/
One advantage after another goes to the Buckeyes right now. If Harbaugh does leave it would be because he senses that, just like Jimmy Johnson understood the problem of being in a division with Peyton Manning when previously he enjoyed considerable talent edge with the Canes and Cowboys. Harbaugh does a great job emphasizing the proper variables like pass defense, and that dictates the majority of games, but he doesn't have the manpower of true powerhouses.
For a jolt of reality regarding how lopsided college recruiting can be, and why the same schools dominate every year, check out this link. Look particularly at the relationship between 5 star, 4 star and 3 star prospects by program. All you have to do in the case of Michigan and Ohio State is check out that relationship in 2018. Ohio State is loaded with 4 stars with a few 5 stars and only a spattering of 3 stars. Michigan had zero 5 stars and nearly twice as many 3 stars as 4 stars. Granted, 2018 was a weak recruiting year for Michigan but that single season can define a roster for years to come.
https://247sports.com/Season/2018-Football/CompositeTeamRankings/