Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches the clock as Michigan faces off against Colorado State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.comJacob Hamilton | MLive.com

ANN ARBOR -- Jim Harbaugh met with reporters on Monday afternoon for his weekly press conference. For the first time this season, he was previewing a ranked opponent. Penn State, ranked 10th in the AP poll, will visit on Saturday for a matchup with No. 5 Michigan (noon ET, FOX).

Harbaugh was asked about Penn State and Michigan’s performance in a 31-10 win over Indiana this past Saturday, among other topics. The first question, however, was about Mike Hart, Michigan’s running backs coach who collapsed on the sideline during Saturday’s game.

Hart released a statement on Monday morning, and Harbaugh added that Fred Jackson will fill in during Hart’s absence.

Here are some of the highlights from Harbaugh’s remarks.

On what he learned about team from second-half performance at Indiana:

“If you are going to reach the promised land, you need games where teams show what it is capable of doing -- defining moments in a second half of a ballgame. There was a lot to keep us humble and things we have to improve on. It did also give us a glimpse of what we can do.”

On whether Mike Hart’s medical incident affected Michigan’s play in first half:

“That’s unknowable. One thing that football does teach you to do is to concentrate on the things you can control. I think that was a learning moment for that. We were all, myself included -- the most important thing at the time was Mike’s health.”

On the key to cracking Penn State’s run defense:

“We going to have to play really good. It’s not just (their) run defense, (their) pass defense is really good. They’re really good at both. The biggest challenge of the year so far, in our opinion.”

On the Michigan Stadium tunnel, which will be renamed in honor of Lloyd Carr during a pregame ceremony before the Penn State game:

“There are obviously a lot of things that have changed around Ann Arbor, Michigan football, and the campus over decades. To me, one thing that hasn’t is that tunnel. It’s the one thing that hasn’t really changed. It’s gritty, it’s awesome. Just like the coach, Lloyd Carr, that’s it going to be named for -- just great, gritty. We’re really proud of our tunnel and couldn’t be happier that it’s now going to have Coach Carr’s name on it.”

On if the Penn State game has a big-game feel:

“Oh, yeah. Big, big, big game. If anybody was watching football yesterday on television, the pro games, it seemed like every commercial break there was an advertisement for the Michigan-Penn State game. So if anybody wasn’t realizing that this wasn’t a big game, there were constant reminders yesterday.”

On Michigan’s turnover “buffs”:

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Harbaugh said with a laugh before a Michigan football media relations director Dave Ablauf informed Harbaugh that the question was referring to the sunglasses a Wolverine wears on the sideline after forcing a turnover.

“I love them,” Harbaugh said. “It’s very much a rule that you really can’t do anything in terms of having fun or celebrating on the field, especially on defense it seems it’s even more so that way. But on the sideline, do whatever you want. Let the guys have fun and celebrate that. Come to the sideline, have a picture, put on sunglasses. I’ve never heard ‘buffs.’”

In addition to Harbaugh, a few players met with the media as well: junior offensive lineman Zak Zinter, sophomore defensive back Rod Moore, and sophomore linebacker Junior Colson.

Zinter on facing Penn State:

“Penn State’s always a tough game. The intensity level, the focus, preparation level, you’re always going to take it up a notch. We’re back in the Big House. It’s going to be a Maize Out. They’re a good team. Preparation does go up a little bit for sure.”

Moore on whether the Wolverines will wear maize against Penn State:

“I don’t know. We’ll have to see Saturday.”

Colson on where Penn State falls among Michigan’s rivals:

“It’s kind of like the big three in a way: Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State are kind of like the big three. We treat ‘em all as they’re tough opponents, you can’t overlook ‘em. Every team we play is going to give us their best shot. But those teams tend to be the hardest we have to face.”

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