Harbaugh Mocks Colorado's Fake Depth Chart
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
Jim Harbaugh is all-business when game-planning for Michigan's opponents. So he found it rather amusing that Colorado, well, isn't.
The No. 4 Wolverines are set to take on the Buffaloes on Saturday at the Big House (3:30 ET, WWJ Newsradio 950.) And according to Colorado's depth chart, Elmer Fudd will be starting at quarterback while Happy Gilmore will be the punter.
That was interesting," Harbaugh told the Jamie and Stoney Show on Thursday morning on 97.1 The Ticket. "In our preparation for Colorado, we've had a hard time working humor into the preparations.
"I was trying to imagine how many people sat around and how many hours they worked on that."
Colorado's fictional depth chart was a response to Harbaugh refusing to release one on Michigan's end. He explained his stance in that regard is a matter of practicality.
"We've just found, when it comes to the depth chart, modern technology seems to be have made the depth chart an outdated task by about 20 years," Harbaugh said. "And we've found that studying last week's film of the opponent is the most accurate way of determining another team's depth chart."
While the 5'2 Fudd is unlikely to start at quarterback for Colorado on Saturday, it's known that Wilton Speight will be under center for Michigan. The red-shirt sophomore has thrown seven touchdowns and just one interception in the Wolverines' first two games.
Harbaugh has been pleased with Speight's continued growth.
"First of all, he's worked very hard at it - the time on task, reps and reps. But a lot of improvement in terms of his accuracy, his eye discipline, his decision making, his timing has been improving. He's an ascending player," Harbaugh said.
Regarding Jourdan Lewis, Michigan's All-American cornerback, his status for Saturday's game remains unclear. The senior has missed the first two games of the season with minor injuries, the exact nature of which are unclear.
"He's still working, making progress," said Harbaugh. "You're probably asking me if he's playing in the game Saturday. Still haven't determined that."
Later in the interview, Harbaugh was asked if he feels it's his role as a public figure to speak on social issues. On Wednesday, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney used his platform to denounce Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem.
Harbaugh would rather stay away from such topics.
"You don't know all the facts, you're not there. Is it my right to tell somebody else what to do? I don't think so. To be able to speak on every issue when you don't really know the full details or all the facts, I don't feel like being in that position," Harbaugh said.
"One of the things I believe," he added, "is you say what you believe and what you think and you have the right to do that. Personally I like to do that when I have the facts."