Paul Finebaum: All eyes on Jim Harbaugh, Michigan this week

Paul Finebaum has been outspoken in the past about his feelings on Jim Harbaugh. However, this season Finebaum has been proven wrong thus far by Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines.

Next weekend, Michigan faces Michigan State in a game with huge Big Ten implications. However, it’s not the only game with a lot of the line — Ohio State and Penn State face-off as well.

On Sportscenter this morning, Finebaum was asked of Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State, which program has the most to prove next weekend.

“I think it’s Michigan,” Finebaum responded. “And we’ve all said wonderful things, including me, about Jim Harbaugh. He’s brought this program back from the abyss, but I was a little bit concerned yesterday during the first half against Northwestern.”

Harbaugh’s Wolverines came out slow against Northwestern, but they found their stride later in the game. According to Finebaum, Michigan was caught looking ahead yesterday against the Wildcats.

“The Wolverines may have been looking ahead,” Finebaum theorized. “They were looking a bit pedestrian, but this is a center stage game for Harbaugh and it’s a game-changing game as well.

“A win here and it really sets up the run with, of course, Penn State later in Happy Valley and then the home game against Ohio State.  So, I’m all over Penn State this week, in a good way.”

Finebaum believes Michigan better not look ahead to future games with Penn State and Ohio State, or the Spartans will make them pay. While it’s been a fantastic season thus far by Harbaugh’s Wolverines, all that can change in an instance.

Harbaugh: ‘All focus is there’

Finebaum may be hesitant regarding Harbaugh and Michigan, but the Wolverines coach stated all his focus is on the Spartans.

“All focus is there,” Harbaugh said in his post-game press conference. “It’s on to that game right now.”

Both Michigan and Michigan State will enter next weekend’s game undefeated. With dreams of the College Football Playoff on their mind, the two rivals will fight tooth and nail to keep it that way.

Last season, Mel Tucker defeated Harbaugh in his first opportunity as the head coach at Michigan State. Evidently, Harbaugh will be attempting to prove Tucker doesn’t have his number.

Since Jim Harbaugh’s return to Michigan, the rivalry has been relatively evenly contested. With the stakes of this season’s game, he’s never wanted to defeated the Spartans more.