Jim Harbaugh says offense ‘very close to hitting the stride on all cylinders’

Michigan has scored just three touchdowns combined in its last two matchups against ranked opponents. Outside of a blowout victory against Rutgers, the Wolverines are averaging 12.0 points in conference play.

But Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh likes what he sees from his offense, saying during his press conference Monday that it’s “very close to hitting the stride on all cylinders.”

“Very close to hitting the stride on all cylinders….good evidence to back that up” — Harbaugh

— angelique (@chengelis) October 7, 2019

Harbaugh: getting the offense at a consistently high level in practice and games is coming… Iowa is a really good defense… i feel with our team, the effort has been great

— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) October 7, 2019

https://twitter.com/anthonytbroome/status/1181242708867727361?s=21

Because the offense is operating so well in practice, Harbaugh was willing to chalk up only scoring 10 points at home against Iowa, and even the massive offensive struggles against Wisconsin a few weeks ago, to the fact the Hawkeyes and Badgers have excellent defenses.

"Top defense in the country against Wisconsin. One of the top defenses in the country against Iowa. At some point, recognize the good efforts of the opponent and players. Our team, effort is off the charts and great. When you get that, then you get everything else." – Harbaugh

— Anthony Broome (@anthonytbroome) October 7, 2019

With Harbaugh’s track record as a head coach, it’s hard to disagree too much with what he sees in his own team, but it’s also completely fair to have doubts about the Michigan offense suddenly turning a corner very soon. The Wolverines are ninth in points and 10th in total offense in the B1G.

Michigan has one more game that will likely be a tune up for its offense against Illinois this weekend, and then the Wolverines will face Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State in the final seven weeks of the regular season.

Dave Holcomb