One and a half scores ago today, Nov. 22nd, 1986, to be exact, Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh delivered a guaranteed win over the 9-2 Ohio State Buckeyes, winners of their last nine games, in Columbus.
Earlier that week Harbaugh gave two separate interviews, both of which can be viewed above, in which he guaranteed a victory over Michigan's arch-nemesis.
It was a bold prophecy, considering Minnesota topped the previously undefeated Michigan in Ann Arbor, 20-17, the week prior. Michigan fell to No. 6, and was set to meet with No. 7 Ohio State with a Rose Bowl bid on the line.
"The last 10 games that we've played mean nothing to us right now," Harbaugh said in the first interview. "It's down to a one-game season. Ohio State is our season. If we win this game, then it's a successful season. If not, then it's not a successful season.
"We're going to play in the Rose Bowl this year. I guarantee it. We'll beat Ohio State and be in Pasadena on Jan. 1."
He went further on his next interview, where he again guaranteed a win over No. 7 Ohio State.
"What's important now is we come storming back. The odds are against us. Nobody thinks we can win in Columbus. I think this team has the character that they play the best with their backs against the walls.
"No doubt about it, it's going to take our best offensive game of the year. And I guarantee we beat Ohio State. We'll be in Pasadena on Jan. 1. There's no doubt in my mind about that."
Harbaugh went 19-29 passing for 261 yards while Michigan running back Jamie Morris torched Earle Bruce's defense with 210 rushing yards (150 in the second half) and two touchdowns.
Despite that, the Buckeyes had a chance to win the game, but kicker Matt Frantz missed the game-winning field goal with a minute left in the game.
(Historical note: Michigan beat Hawai'i two weeks later in Honolulu, but Arizona State beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl, 22-15.)
Harbaugh confirmed Monday he hasn't been back to the Horseshoe since that fateful fall day thirty years ago. While he offered no personal guarantee, he said his players were free to "speak their minds" after his team defeated Indiana on Saturday.
Offensive lineman Erik Magnuson was the only one willing to guarantee anything.
“I guarantee that this Saturday,” Magnuson said, “there will be a football game.”
Big, if true.
Ohio State linebacker Chris Worley spoke to reporters Monday about what a playing guaranteeing victory against his team would mean to him.
“We’d love to hear that, honestly. People just think they’ve just got the win in the bag like that, before you even go out there and fight. You can’t say that because you’re going to get everyone’s best blow. Who’s to say their best blow will be better than ours? Never want to see people go out and say things like that.”
Urban Meyer, who started his collegiate career in 1986 as a 22-year-old graduate assistant under Bruce, said Monday he didn't remember the reaction when Harbaugh guaranteed victory.
"Just moved on."
It's unclear if Meyer couldn't remember or didn't want to, but he'll get reminders about it this week. However, he'll also get a chance to avenge his second father on Saturday when his No. 2 team hosts No. 4 Michigan.
