Jim Harbaugh declines to answer question about how Michigan would handle NCAA vacating wins

As Michigan prepares for the national championship game against Washington, distractions remain. The program was the subject of intense scrutiny this season following an alleged sign-stealing scandal that rocked college football.

With the potential for future disciplinary action against the Michigan program, a reporter on a teleconference with coach Jim Harbaugh on Wednesday asked about what it would mean if the NCAA vacated games.

Harbaugh hit a long pause, not seeming to appreciate the question.

“As I said, getting ready for this game. One-track mind,” Harbaugh said. “I mean that’s, I guess you want to live in the world of Rumorville or speculation. But we just don’t really have any room to be doing that at this point. That’s time spent elsewhere.”

As far as disciplinary measures go, Michigan has already enacted some in the hopes that the NCAA won’t issue further punishment. Harbaugh missed the first three games of the season as a result of a self-imposed suspension following alleged violations during the COVID-19 dead period.

That punishment was designed to get out in front of NCAA enforcement actions.

The second Jim Harbaugh absence this season came when the Big Ten threatened to take action following the sign-stealing scandal and Harbaugh, Michigan and the conference agreed on Harbaugh sitting out the final three games of the season instead.

Harbaugh returned to the fold for the Big Ten championship game vs. Iowa, as well as the College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama, which Michigan won 27-20 to advance to Monday’s national title game.

The turbulence off the field comes at a time when the results on the field have never been better for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. Not too long ago, Harbaugh was fending for his job, seemingly unable to beat Ohio State and beginning to feel the pressure.

Now the Wolverines have beaten the Buckeyes three straight times and have also reached the College Football Playoff three straight times as a result.

Michigan will look to cap its season with a national title in Houston on Monday, with the game set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.