Jim Harbaugh on Washington losing to Montana: ‘I don’t think it’s relevant’

The Michigan Wolverines got the taste of victory back in their mouths with a 47-14 win over Western Michigan in the opening week of the season. Week 2 is set to provide a much tougher test in the form of the Pac-12’s Washington Huskies, but their stock may be trending downward after an opening weekend loss to FCS school Montana.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media on Monday morning to preview this week’s matchup, where he revealed game planning has been underway since fall camp for the Huskies. They have also been dipping into the film from last year to get a sense of what Jimmy Lake’s team brings to the table.

“So, watching this game, going back to the previous season as well,” Harbaugh said. “Very good football team. Digging through them right now and have been. We’ve dedicated some practices in training camp to them. Fine football team.”

Washington’s loss to Montana has many feeling much better about Michigan’s chances of getting out to a 2-0 start, but Harbaugh is not putting any stock into it. Week 2 provides a new and unique challenge and Michigan knows it has work to do.

“I don’t think it’s relevant,” Harbaugh said. “You always think the first game is the second-hardest to prepare for, but the second game is even harder. Because both games will go back and work on. They know where they’re at, they go back and work on the things that they need to improve and they will. It’s a race to make those improvements in one week. Got a good idea that Washington has been preparing for us for a long time. It’s an important game for both teams so I think that makes that first game irrelevant. As it almost always is, but as they say, especially in this second game scenario.”

Michigan is still very much on high alert. Harbaugh revealed the players that have stood out the most. on film during the early preview this week.

“Defensively, their two corners are elite,” he said. “48 (linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio) is a tackling machine. The quarterback (Dylan Morris) is really, really good, really efficient. Really good backs. It’s a solid team all the way around. Front seven and the secondary is really good.”

Saturday’s game is set for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff and will be nationally televised via ABC. Michigan is currently a 6.5-point favorite per FanDuel.