Michigan's opener at Utah signals true start of the Jim Harbaugh Era

There was the hub-bub over satellite camps, an unabashed and odd affinity for Judge Judy, a fierce defense of ?American Sniper? and, course, his khaki pants. It always seems to be about Jim Harbaugh?s khaki?s, doesn?t it?

While following the daily Harbaugh media circus has been fun since his exulted arrival in Ann Arbor in late December as the anointed savior of this proud program, it?s finally time to get down to the business of playing football.

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Finally: The Harbaugh era kicks off tonight at Utah.

Has there been a more anticipated debut in college football in the last 25 years? Not even Nick Saban?s unveiling at Alabama or Urban Meyer?s arrival at Ohio State were on par with the Harbaugh mania that has enveloped the college football world. Fans and alums act like teeny boppers at a One Direction concert at the mere sight of Harbaugh?s hat and whistle.

This time last year, Harbaugh was coming off a 12-4 season with the San Francisco 49ers, a campaign that ended with a loss to the Seahawks in the NFC title game. He was 36-11 in three seasons with the 49ers, including a loss in the Super Bowl after the 2012 season. Harbaugh was rolling in the NFL. He was good–and he knew it. We all knew it.

Now, Harbaugh is college football?s answer to the Kardashians, with every movement photographed and each word recorded. Everything Jimmy Ballgame does or says is important and must be consumed by the pubic.

But going shirtless at a summer camp and tweeting at rappers don?t matter now that the calendar has flipped to September. It?s time to win some football games in Ann Arbor. It?s time to make Michigan matter. It has been too long.

The last time Michigan won the Big Ten? It was 2004. Ten seasons have passed since then. The Big Ten has expanded-twice. And, the biggest jab to heart: Ohio State and Michigan State have become national powers as the Wolverines are onto their third coach since Lloyd Carr stepped down after the 2007 season with a 9-4 mark, second-place Big Ten finish, Capital One Bowl triumph and No. 18 AP poll ranking.

Seems like 100 years ago, doesn?t it?

Harbaugh has been in what he described as a ?submarine,? laser focus on preparations to restore this illustrious program. Access has been tight. No obstacle will keep him from his goal, as he?s like Dr. Frankenstein locked in the lab for days consumed with an experiment he must bring to life.

"I said submarine, I remember saying that, but just (to) the fact that we were going to be working and where our attention would be," Harbaugh said Tuesday during the Big Ten coaches teleconference.

Listen to Harbaugh's full comments here:

No other program in America limited media access like Michigan has done this year. The coach and players were not trotted about before the media until last week. Heck, Harbaugh even skipped an on-set interview with this network during a tour stop in Ann Arbor last month. It was unprecedented and eye-brow raising.

He's just Harbaugh being his usual kooky self. He means no harm. He's just … busy.

"I think that's probably up to every coach to decide on what's best for their football team, and my guess is he's probably trying to do that," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said in the Big Ten teleconference. "I think that we all do that with different situations and different environments."

Translation: Harbaugh can basically do whatever he wants at this point, riding a maize and blue tidal wave of hysteria that has allowed him to trample convention and basically do and say whatever he likes with impunity.

Michigan desperately wanted Harbaugh. Or, put another way: Michigan needed Harbaugh more than Harbaugh needed Michigan.

That?s not to say Harbaugh isn?t thrilled to be at him alma mater. It?s just that he likely could have had any number of NFL jobs after his messy divorce from San Francisco.

Who was Michigan going to hire? Les Miles? Greg Schiano? Come on.

So, Harbaugh is calling the shots at Michigan. And he?s being paid a king's ransom of $5.7 million per year to make the ache of the last decade go away.

No doubt, his coaching resume glistens. Adding to Harbaugh's halo: He?s a former BMOC who trained under god-like Bo Schembechler. Harbaugh is the perfect man at the perfect time for Michigan.

Now, it?s time to win some games.

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