Michigan is a team of destiny

Jim Harbaugh leads his team onto the field.

By Mike Santaniello

@The_Santman

We have been conditioned in recent years to see Michigan shrink in big moments and become a punching bag to the rest of the Big Ten.

We all remember some of these games that have left Wolverine fans like myself shocked and in disappointment. The mishandled punt against Michigan State, or Penn State Saquon Barkley scoring 2 touchdowns in the first 5 minutes in the 42-13 beatdown in Happy Valley. And who can forget Ohio State's questionable first down spot in overtime.

So we have expected the Wolverines to leave fans in disappointment and be bullied by the premier Big Ten teams. But so far this year that hasn't been the case.

This isn't your typical Wolverines team that floats around the top 25 before losing a big game in heartbreaking fashion. This is a team on a mission for revenge, and to show the Big Ten and the playoff voters why this team is for real this time.

The season started out with a hiccup against now No. 3 and 11-0 Notre Dame, but since then the Wolverines have won 9 straight and have won games in dominate fashion. The big knock on Harbaugh is that he can't win in conference games against the tough Big 10 teams. With the addition of star quarterback Shea Patterson who offers stability after the revolving door of quarterbacks Michigan has had as of late.

So far this year, though, he has dominated the conference currently maintaining a 7-0 conference record.

Michigan walked into Michigan State and controlled the line of scrimmage the entire game and did not allow Michigan State to move the ball at all. One week after Penn State was dominated 42-7 as the Michigan pass rush led by Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich dominated the Penn State offensive line.

Team leader Chase Winovich said after the Penn State game, “We wanted our lunch money back...with interest.”

This Michigan team is on a revenge tour and it's been pretty fun to watch them walk into every game with the intent on physically imposing their will on their rivals. Their offense isn't flashy— they want to beat you down with the run and play good defense.

The final stop on the revenge tour for Michigan as it faces its biggest challenge in traveling to the #10 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Jim Harbaugh has yet to defeat the Buckeyes and will look to punch Michigan's ticket to its first CFB Playoff by beating Urban Meyer.

Of course, Michigan will still have to beat Northwestern in the Big Ten title game.

Ohio State was my preseason pick to win the Big Ten but after seeing how both teams have performed and seeing the white hot Wolverines steamroll through its competition it's hard to believe they aren't destined for the playoff this year.