Jim Harbaugh says Michigan's mindset is 'at their very best' ahead of Fiesta Bowl vs. TCU

Running out of the tunnel and on to the field for the Fiesta Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinal against TCU, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke briefly with ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath.

McGrath wanted to know how getting to the CFP semifinals in 2021 will benefit the 2022 Michigan team against TCU and Harbaugh was mum about how it might play out.

“I don’t know exactly. I’ll probably be able to answer that after the game. Mindset of the team is good, they’re at their very best,” Harbaugh said.

While Harbaugh doesn’t have much to say about how the past experience will benefit his team now, the historical record shows that teams that have played in the playoff prior dominate when playing against first-time entrants in the semifinals.

Harbaugh said Michigan got back on the ‘same page’ at half time

A disjointed, sloppy first half saw Michigan trailing TCU by 15 points at the break. Amid all the Wolverine miscues, the only reason Michigan even had points was the big leg of kicker Jake Moody.

But out of the break, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh wanted his team to keep hammering away while acknowledging the mistakes that put them in a hole. He said as much to ESPN’s Molly McGrath.

“Spotted them some points, that makes us mad. And we’ve not ended these drives — with turnovers and two blown coverages,” Harbaugh said. “But we’re going back to work, I know everybody’s on the same page.”

Michigan quickly came out and forced a punt from TCU and marched the ball down the field, but again settled for a field goal to cut the Horned Frogs lead and make it 21-9.