Paul Finebaum believes Jim Harbaugh has a lot at stake in this year’s Rose Bowl and trip to the College Football Playoff.

Harbaugh, now in his 9th season leading his alma mater, has completed the turnaround for the Wolverines. After facing the Ohio State question in his first 6 seasons with the Wolverines, Harbaugh has rattled off 3 straight wins over the Buckeyes to go with 3 straight trips to the CFP.

However, Michigan has yet to get over the Playoff hump, and Finebaum believes this year is the best shot yet for Harbaugh’s group. Finebaum also believes it’s a key moment after Harbaugh himself was the big story of college football this season.

“I think a great deal (is on the line) because outside of 3-4 weeks of Coach Prime at the beginning of the year, Jim Harbaugh has been the story in college football, and it’s almost all been negative other than the fact that he keeps winning and is back in the Playoff,” said Finebaum. “I think legacy is a great word to use here. You can’t lose bowl games every year which is pretty much what Michigan has done, and this is clearly their best shot.”

Finebaum went on to point out that Michigan has looked like the best team in the country, especially with Georgia not in the Playoff. However, a number of analysts are siding with Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

“It’s not a cliche, it’s the truth. And Michigan, now that Georgia has stepped aside, looks like the best team in the country. Vegas continues to favor Michigan,” Finebaum explained. “But still, everyone I talk to and most people at the network believe Alabama is going to win that game. It’s hard to figure that out other than, well, Nick Saban is the head coach.”