Jim Harbaugh Era Has Officially Started After Michigan Football's Blowout Of BYU

Well, that didn’t take long.

The Michigan Wolverines just beat a ranked opponent for the first time … in the Jim Harbaugh era. If opposing Big Ten teams weren’t looking at Michigan before, they definitely will be now.

The BYU Cougars entered the year with high expectations. So high that they were considered a dark horse to make the College Football Playoff. After suffering back-to-back losses, that dream has been crushed.

WATCH: Leonard Fournette Proves Once Again Why He Is College Football’s Best Player

Michigan, on the other hand, was far from a playoff contender entering 2015 … but that might change now.

Why Michigan could make the playoff: (1) The season is still very young (anything can happen). (2) The Wolverines have the schedule to make some serious noise. (3) The Wolverines’ only loss so far came against the Utah Utes, a team that is ranked in the top 25.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s just remember that Michigan has a long way to go, and it also still has to take on teams like the Michigan State Spartans and Ohio State Buckeyes (aka two of the best teams in the country).

But hey, Jim Harbaugh was hired to turn this program around (and make some noise). One win isn’t going to turn a team into a powerhouse again, but it is certainly a start, and a serious momentum booster.

VIDEO: Michigan’s Amara Darboh Makes The Best One-Handed Catch Of The Year

Side note: The Wolverines won by the score of 31-0 (talking about a good old-fashioned blowout).

In the process, Harbaugh’s team flexed its muscles on defense, and no one will take it lightly from here on out.

Welcome to the Jim Harbaugh era, folks.

Trevor Lowry is a Content Associate at www.RantSports.com. If you’re a tweeter feel free to follow him @TheTrevorLowry, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.