ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is looking forward to taking some pregame hits in Indianapolis – friendly blows that will be delivered by his coach, Jim Harbaugh, who has completed the Big Ten’s suspension stemming from a sign-stealing investigation.
“Every game and it’s usually right before kickoff, he’ll come and find me,” McCarthy said. “He’s all about getting that first hit and the butterflies just disintegrate from your body. He tries to do his best to simulate that.
“It’s a nice little weekly tradition that I can’t wait to get back.”
Harbaugh opened his press conference Monday by hailing his assistants and players for nearly 10 minutes for their performance in a 30-24 win over Ohio State, a game he watched at home with his wife while he served the final game of his suspension.
“Who could possibly have it better than us?” Harbaugh asked reporters ahead of his return to the No. 2 Wolverines’ sideline, which will come Saturday night in Indianapolis in the Big Ten championship game against the No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes.
Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore filled in for Harbaugh vs. the now-sixth-ranked Buckeyes. He’s happy to hand the reins back.
“I can’t wait for the opportunity to have him back on the field, to have the players see their leader, and the staff see their leader there. It’s going to make it even more sweeter,” he said.
The Wolverines started the season without Harbaugh, who was suspended by the school for three games for breaking NCAA rules, and closed it as he was banned by the Big Ten from leading them at the stadium on game days at Penn State and Maryland and against Ohio State.
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