Jim Harbaugh can make or break big-game criticism

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh noticed a few differences in his Wolverines after a 42-13 lo s to Penn State on Oct. 21.He uses one word three times to illustrate that point."I feel like our execution has been improving," Harbaugh said duringthe Big Ten teleconference on Tuesday. "I feel like our effort has been improving and the way we finish has also been improving."Improving. No. 24 Michigan improved to 8-2 over the last three weeks while outscoring the trio of Rutgers, Minnesota and Maryland 103-34. That won't get noticed. How the Wolverines respond Saturday at No. 5Wisconsin and again on Nov. 25 against No. 9 Ohio State will Mike Hart Jersey be.MORE: Those games will define how much things are improving in Harbaugh's third year in Ann Arbor. Michigan would need help with lo ses from Michigan State and Penn State to keep their Big Ten East title hopes alive, but there are three po sibilities over the next two weeks.Door No. 1: Lose both games, finish 8-4 and do the same song-and-dance that goes something like this: Harbaugh is a combination of overrated andNFL-bound. And he can't finish third in his own division.Door No. 2: Split the two games, finish 9-3 and head into a bowl game with Mario Manningham Jersey the best-case scenario being a third straight 10-win season.Door No. 3: Win both games, hope for some Big Ten chaos and no matter what, be set up for a New Year's Day Six Bowl game with a team that returns almost everything in 2017.What haschanged since that Penn State lo s to suggest Michigan could avoid Door No. 1?Brandon Peters has settled in as Michigan's third starting quarterback this season. Peters isnt a stat-stuffer, but he hascompleted 60.9 percent of his pa ses with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He's going to have to make a few more big-time throws the next two weeks, but hell have help in the running game.That has been the biggest change. Harbaugh was asked Tuesday Kenny Allen Jersey if the Wolverines are now considered a power football team. He responded with one word."Yes."MORE: In the last three weeks, Michigan has rushed 126 times for 865 yards 6.9 yards per carry with 11 rushing touchdowns. Karan Higdon has 44 carries for 408 yards in that stretch, and Chris Evans has 33 carries for 300 yards. Ty Isaac, who rushed 14 times for 109 yards against Rutgers, might return from injury to take on the Badgers. Kareem Walker who has 13 Taylor Lewan Jersey carries for 57yards in those three games also is in the rotation. The Wolverines have a deep backfield with which to work."You find out what your identity is as the season progre ses," Harbaugh said.The defense, meanwhile, knows its identity. It has allowed just three rushing touchdowns the last three weeks and will need to be even better against a prolific Wisconsin offense that Harbaugh described in choppy sentences."Very good players," Harbaugh said. "Good schemes. Tough schemes to defend. Physical play. Big, physical offensive line. Seasoned quarterback. Outstanding running back and very good wide receivers. Balanced attack that is good and tough to defend."Very good personnel and really good schemes," he said. "They execute very well. What kind of challenge will that be for our defense? That will be a stiff, challenging game."And another chance for the Wolverines to win a big game. While Harbaugh's 1-4 record against Ohio State and Michigan State is well-publicized, he's 5-2 against top 25 teams otherwise. Lamarr Woodley Jersey He's also 22-2 against other unranked teams. The Wolverines are still 28-8 under Harbaugh, but they arent judged for winning against ranked teams.That's what's at hand against Wisconsin and Ohio State. The doors are open. Which one will Michigan go through?