Harbaugh, U-M ‘laser’ focused amid NCAA probe

• Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Staff WriterOct 22, 2023, 12:31 AM ET

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  • ESPN staff writer
  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • Finished from Central Michigan

EAST LANSING, Michigan– Regardless of an NCAA examination into supposed indication stealing, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and his players said there was a laser focus within the program this week.Michigan played in-state rival Michigan State and came away with a persuading 49-0 victory on Saturday. Harbaugh said his players never let the reports or investigation penetrate their preparation and how they took on this challenger.”I believe there’s been efforts to lessen the team in a lot of methods, “Harbaugh said after the game.” ‘Beginning with this is too simple of a schedule. These guys aren’t great.’And that kind of thing. But they just play, and they’ll do that again today, we’ll get on to the next one and move on with humble hearts.

“Their focus was laser, laser like. Staying strong, focused, simply on a mission.”

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The NCAA is examining Michigan for allegedly scouting future opponents face to face at games, which would be a violation of NCAA rules. Michigan has given that suspended staffer Connor Stalions, who is the focus of the investigation.Despite the news coming out this week, Harbaugh and his players stated it wasn’t an interruption and didn’t restrict their goal of winning this game.Quarterback J.J. McCarthy stated that Harbaugh did deal with the team this week about the accusations, but there was no rah-rah speech offered. It was a message of remaining concentrated on the job at hand and not letting outside noise remove from their season.”We do a remarkable job of keeping the main thing the main point and staying in the present moment,”McCarthy said.”Controlling what we can control, just striving to get better and we know this is a special group. We just strive every day to see how excellent we can truly get, and all the outside distractions and all the accusations against Coach Harbaugh, that does not do anything to us, since we’re just out there attempting to play ball, have a good time with our young boys.”Tight end Colston Loveland echoed McCarthy, adding that the Wolverines thought they needed to remain focused to stay unbeaten.”Actually had a single mindset of getting ready, beating State. That was pretty much, if anyone around the building wished to speak about

anything else, they didn’t want to,”Harbaugh stated.”They wished to simply talk about the game, preparation and practice and prepare yourself to play and execute and I believed they played their finest. We have a little stating around here that says what you do speaks so loudly, we can’t even hear what you’re stating. “