Harbaugh Denies Knowledge Of MSU Dig, Hawaii Film Request
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh wouldn't take the bait.
On two occasions, in fact.
Last Thursday, Michigan State seemed to poke fun at Michigan's trademark slogan, "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions." Asked if he had considered responding, Harbaugh told 97.1 The Ticket's morning show that he wasn't aware of the situation.
"No, I didn't think about any response to that, first time hearing (about) it," he said.
Harbaugh was then told the Spartans twisted Michigan's motto into "Those Who Have Stayed Are Already Champions," a reference to the fact that every Michigan State player who has stayed for four years under coach Mark Dantonio has won a Big Ten Championship.
"That's a fact, that's the truth," Harbaugh said. "The truth is the truth."
Harbaugh was also asked about the report that Michigan declined Hawaii's request for a scrimmage tape ahead of the two teams' clash on Saturday. Michigan watched Hawaii's season-opening game against Cal while the Rainbow Warriors have had no such opportunity to scout the Wolverines.
Again, Harbaugh denied knowledge of the situation.
"First of all, I don't know anything about it. I don't know anything about any requests for scrimmage tape or practice tape. Somebody mentioned that, but no, not aware of any request that University of Hawaii made for practice tape or scrimmage tape," said Harbaugh.
Ranked No. 7 in the preseason poll, Michigan opens its season against Hawaii on Saturday at noon. The Wolverines have yet to announce who will start at quarterback and Harbaugh stuck to that approach on Thursday.
"We've decided that that information will be just for the team," he said.
Harbaugh did confirm that the battle for starting QB has come down to the trio of Wilton Speight, John O'Korn and Shane Morris.
"All have done a good job, that's the thing. "We've noticed everybody on the team has the confidence in all three of those quarterbacks and it's been improving daily. The play has been really good and can't wait to watch our guys go out and compete on Saturday," said Harbaugh.
