Michael James, a native Detroiter, has spent more than 20 years in sports journalism with The Detroit News, New York Daily News and as head writer for ESPN's Quite Frankly With Stephen A. Smith. James, the founder of The Tribe, lives in New York.
Jim Harbaugh (Photo from The Tribe)
By Michael James
It's still early in the 2015-'16 season, but not too early to see that what is brewing in Ann Arbor, Michigan could turn out to be the story of the college football world. It's a story of resurrection, but much more than that, a testament to the power of the inspiration that one person can bring - not unlike Catholics all over the world have experienced with the recent historic visit of Pope Francis to America.
To make such a comparison may seem sacrilegious to those who don't worship at the altar of the revered Big House, but Michigan Wolverines football fans certainly feel as though they've been delivered from Hades (and Brady Hoke) with the return of prodigal son Jim Harbaugh to the winningest program in college football history.
Only a month into Harbaugh's tenure in the Big Ten, the Bo Schembechler disciple has injected a new life and heart into the Wolverines that is unmistakable. Over the course of a mere four games, it's clear that Harbaugh's team, essentially composed of many of the same players that former coach Hoke had last season, play with a different rhythm. They play with the confidence of Michigan Men from an era feared forever lost.
Though one would be wise to temper expectations that Harbaugh's team is now ready to compete with the likes of Urban Meyer's defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes or Mark Dantonio and the Michigan State Spartans - currently ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the nation - both of those programs are without doubt aware that these aren't the sad sack Wolverines of recent memory.
In fact, a good bet can be made that one of these top two programs will go down to Harbaugh's reinvigorated Wolverines this season. You read that right. This season.
While those outside of the Michigan locker room - like former ESPN radio host Colin Cowherd, now of Fox Sports - projected that the Wolverines couldn't be expected to realistically contend for anything until Harbaugh was able to recruit his own players and implement his own schemes - 2017, they said, those inside that locker room clearly have other plans.
Now ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press Coaches Poll, the 3-1 Wolverines clearly believe in themselves. Because they believe in The Word According To Jim Harbaugh. As with the Pope - the real one from the Vatican in Rome - Jim Harbaugh has followers, faithfully dyed in maize and blue, and wearing favored tan khakis.
You are forgiven at this moment if you were one of those who doubted the miracle turnaround you are already witnessing. This, after all, is simply the Jim Harbaugh Way.
Harbaugh has known almost nothing except success since his days as the star quarterback for Bo in Ann Arbor. It's been his hallmark though a 14-year career in the NFL, where he was once known as Captain Comeback during his time with the Indianapolis Colts due to his propensity for rallying his troops to victory.
Turnaround Artist
Even after the shoulder pads forever came off, Harbaugh retained the ability to inspire and win with turnaround jobs at University of San Diego, Stanford and with the San Francisco 49ers, whom he took to Super Bowl XLVII against his brother, John, coach of the Baltimore Ravens.
For Michigan fans who suffered through the Rich Rodriguez era, followed by what became a car crash during the finals days of Brady Hoke - a period that, for many long-time followers of the Wolverines marked the lowest point ever witnessed in Ann Arbor - Harbaugh has already done as prophesied: he has brought Michigan football back into the light.
With their 31-0 shutout over the previously potent and formerly 22-ranked BYU Cougars, Michigan has shown a marked improvement on both sides of the ball, but are especially vicious on defense, where they ranked No. 2 in the nation. Brigham Young had not been shut out since 2003.
Heading into Saturday's Big Ten opener against Maryland, the Wolverines have allowed only 14 points in their last three games and figure only to get better by the time they face their two biggest rivals, Michigan State (Oct. 17) and Ohio State (Nov. 28).
Despite the fact Michigan has regained its former claim to fame with a rushing attack that has racked up more than 200 yards on the ground three straight weeks, it remains too early to declare them ready for prime time just yet.
But it's not too early to feel optimistic about titles coming in the near future.
Michigan hasn't won a Big Ten championship since 2004, but you get the feeling that will change the moment Harbaugh acquires a quarterback who is more than a game manager, which is what the Wolverines now have in graduate transfer Jake Rudock.
You also get the feeling that much sooner, rather than later, Michigan will again rank among the top teams in all of college football.
It may be a bit much to proclaim Harbaugh the Pope of Ann Arbor, but with his Second Coming, it's getting progressively easier to make an argument that he's definitely a messiah of some kind.
