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Jim Harbaugh reveals the key to Michigan's strong play

On3 imageby: Andrew Graham11/11/22AndrewEdGraham
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PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 05: Michael Barrett #23 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates the first of his two interceptions with Mike Morris #90 against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the third quarter of a game at SHI Stadium on November 5, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan defeated Rutgers 52-17. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Michigan has developed a bit of a trend in recent games: Hang tough and get in the flow of the game in the first half before blowing things open in the second half. It’s something head coach Jim Harbaugh has noticed, too.

The Wolverines have either trailed, been tied, or led by less than a touchdown at halftime of each of the past four games — against Indiana, Penn State, Michigan State and Rutgers. The average margin of victory in those games is 25.5 points. The root cause of this, according to the head coach, is brutally simple.

“Yeah, the numbers are really good. Incredible,” Harbaugh said. “The thing I would point to more than adjustments or anything is just how hard our guys are playing. It just screams at you on the tape when I watch it. Especially on the defense. But the offense, too. And when they play on special teams. But it is so noticeable just how hard guys are playing.”

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Ahead of a matchup with shorthanded Nebraska this weekend — the Cornhuskers are without starting quarterback Casey Thompson — Michigan might fare better getting out to an early lead.

But if they don’t, Harbaugh has the utmost confidence in the Wolverines to keep the foot on the guess until the very end of the game. If and when the other team runs out of gas, Michigan will still be going.

“To the — and it’s 60 minutes of that kind of effort. As the game goes on, to your point, conditioning for sure factors in. But it’s consistently at a high level. And the hustle is there. It’s constant hustle, it’s hustle at all times. These guys are playing really hard,” Harbaugh said.