(The Spread) – Any team that’s interested in hiring Jim Harbaugh had to be impressed with the way his Stanford Cardinal handled Virginia Tech in the 2011 Orange Bowl. So what now for Harbaugh?
Stanford clobbered VA Tech 40-12 Monday night in Miami Gardens. Andrew Luck threw four touchdown passes and just one interception as the Cardinal came out in the second half firing on all cylinders. The Hokies had made a game of it before halftime, kicking a late field goal to cut Stanford’s lead to, 13-12. But they forgot to show up for the second half and Harbaugh’s squad rolled.
According to college football bowl odds and oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com, Stanford was a 3.5-point favorite over Virginia Tech so obviously they covered rather easily.
Even though Michigan hasn’t officially made up its mind about Rich Rodriguez, it’s almost certain that the Wolverines would make room for Harbaugh. If he wanted to coach at his alma mater, Michigan wouldn’t have any qualms about telling Rich Rod to hit the pavement after a couple of miserably years and one lousy performance in a bowl game against Mississippi State.
If Harbaugh is interested in joining his brother in the NFL, he’ll have suitors there, too. The 49ers have already expressed interest and the Panthers are looking for a head coach as well. Either team would be a good fit for Harbaugh, who has done a wonderful job making Stanford relevant again in college football.
If he winds up in Carolina, maybe Luck would declare himself eligible for the NFL draft and he and Harbaugh can reconnect. The Panthers desperately need a quarterback and Luck would without a doubt be the No. 1 pick in the draft. (Of course, a Harbaugh-Luck connection in the NFL seems a little too good to be true.)
Following the win over Virginia Tech, Harbaugh said he’s going to enjoy the moment and not rush to any decisions about his future. But now that the Orange Bowl is over, one would think that he’d probably make up his mind soon.
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