It’s been the talking point for three years now, but it’s been relevant almost every year. If Jim Harbaugh doesn’t beat Ohio State this year, his job could be in jeopardy.

Harbaugh is 0-4 against the Buckeyes but there’s been no indication that he’s on the hot seat. With three 10-win seasons in four years, he’s provided a certain consistency that hasn’t been around Ann Arbor for quite some time.

This year could be different, though. With Urban Meyer gone and Ryan Day being a first-year head coach in Columbus, the expectation is for Harbaugh to finally overcome that obstacle. ESPN college football analyst Marcus Spears even sees this as the year the Wolverines bounce the Buckeyes.

“Harbaugh will get it done this year,” Spears said during an episode of Get Up!. “Bringing in [Josh] Gattis, Shea Patterson another year in the system, and I also believe Harbaugh is more open to letting this offense kind of be an advantage for the guys that are actually in the offense.

“I just can’t wrap around my mind that Harbaugh is going to lose to Ryan Day. If this was Urban Meyer — he’s gotten the pass because of Urban Meyer, not because of the players — because this was Urban Meyer’s team that was beating him. Now, you bring in a first-year head coach and a transfer quarterback that hadn’t seen a lot of time? You lose this game, Harbaugh will be on the hot seat at Michigan.”

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Spears makes a lot of good points in his argument. Michigan has the coaching advantage (experience wise) and has excellent talent on both sides of the ball. Ohio State obviously is extremely skilled as well, but with all the changes, the Wolverines should be able to take advantage this season.

It’s been the argument for three years now. But, in Year 5, it may be more relevant than ever before.