The line between cement and quicksand in coaching college football is a thin one. Nowhere is that more clear at the moment than in the state of Michigan.
The reputations of Mark Dantonio and Jim Harbaugh each made moves toward the mean following the Spartans’ 14-10 victory in Ann Arbor on Saturday. Dantonio’s reputation is climbing again after legitimate doubts were cast on his ability to resurrect a program that had temporarily careened off the rails in 2016. Harbaugh’s reputation is sliding back down toward Earth -- even among the Wolverines faithful now -- after an uninspiring offensive performance that should create legitimate cause for concern with three top-10 teams still looming on the schedule.