Joel Klatt explains how Jim Harbaugh broke mold of current college football

Jim Harbaugh’s recent run at Michigan is nothing short of amazing. He’s basically just a national championship away from seeing one of the best runs we’ve seen recently.

However, Harbaugh’s done it in a different way than most modern college football programs, according to Joel Klatt. While it’s all about offense, offense and more offense, Harbaugh flipped that upside down.

Yes, he has a powerful offense, but you should emphasize the word “powerful.”

“Jim has built a great program and it’s and he’s done it in a unique way in a day and age in which the sport is built around offense and tempo and volume,” Klatt said on The Herd. “He’s gone the opposite direction and built his program about culture and toughness, power and grittiness and I’ve referred to them as like the boa constrictor of college football. Just kind of squeeze you to death, and they don’t really panic.

“This is his deepest team that he’s ever had. I will not be shocked if Michigan breaks the record of players drafted in one single draft next spring.”

Considering Michigan only lost three total games over the course of the last three seasons (this one included), Harbaugh must be doing something right.

The Wolverines are expected to be favorites in their remaining games, based on current success, leading them to an undefeated season and the College Football Playoff.

Jim Harbaugh, Michigan keeping ‘November mindset’

If there’s any proof of toughness in this Michigan team, Harbaugh wants everyone to play like it’s November. That means, cold weather, toughing it out and winning on pure sheer and will.

“There are huge games every single week,” Harbaugh said. “There’s definitely a November mentality, you’re in a chase for the championship, you’re in a run for a championship. They’re decided in November if you’ve put yourself in position to be in position.”

Michigan has had the most dominant defense in all of college football this season, holding opponents to a nation’s nation-best 6.7 points per game and just 233.1 yards per game which ranks second in the country.

Their disciplined and physical style on defense represents their offense as well, led by dual-threat quarterback JJ McCarthy who’s established himself as one of the most efficient passers in the country ranking second in the nation in completion percentage at 78.2% to go along with his 1,512 yards and 17 total touchdowns this season.

“When all the leaves are brown and the skies are gray, that’s when the championships get decided,” Harbaugh said. “But November’s here for us, it’s here for us now. Playing in this big game, this big rivalry game, this in-state game, this Big Ten game, then we’ll have a bye and then the rest of our games will be in November. The time is now.”