In many ways, Saturday afternoon in East Lansing was the perfect encapsulation of the Jim Harbaugh era at Michigan.

There were bright spots. There were reasons for optimism. But, ultimately, it left a lot to be desired, just like his seven seasons leading the program in Ann Arbor.

Michigan blew a 16-point, second-half lead to in-state rival Michigan State, falling 37-33, likely ending any chance it has of winning the Big Ten East. It all but certainly ended the Wolverines’ hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time.

There were questionable coaching decisions and a team unable to finish. On its own, it was just one loss. The overriding problem was it was emblematic of Harbaugh’s time in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have struggled against their Big Ten East rivals, Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State. They have never defeated the Buckeyes. They are 6-12 against all three.

Under Harbaugh, Michigan has never won more than 10 games in a single season. It hasn’t finished a season ranked higher than 10th. It has had opportunities to break through, as it could’ve on Saturday.

But Harbaugh’s team has fallen short in those moments. In the 2016 regular-season finale at Ohio State, Michigan blew a 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter. The previous year, a botched punt in the final seconds by Michigan resulted in a game-winning Michigan State touchdown on the final play of the game. Then there was Saturday, the first meeting between Michigan and Michigan State in which both teams were ranked in the top 10 since 1964.

All was going so well for the Wolverines — too well, apparently. The defense, ranked second in the country in scoring (14.3) entering the game, fell apart. It made Spartans star Kenneth Walker III look like Walter Payton, allowing him to run for 197 yards and a whopping five touchdowns. The offense managed just a single field goal over the final 21:47.

I’ve had the same opinion of Harbaugh for a few years now. He hasn’t been a complete failure. He has at least made the program respectable, after it had fallen to embarrassing depths under Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez. But Harbaugh wasn’t paid so handsomely — his initial deal was worth $7.4 million annually — to be mediocre. He was hired to win titles, not stockpile nine- and 10-win seasons, or lose 13 of 15 games against top-10 opponents.

The latest loss to Michigan State was apropos of his tenure. This Michigan team likely gets to 10 wins. Its fans shouldn’t expect anything more after seven seasons of the same results.

Thus far, Georgia’s defense has owned the headlines. It has dominated all eight of its opponents. It stifled Florida in a 34-7 victory that wasn’t even as close as the score indicated.

But at some point, the Bulldogs’ offense will be needed to be more than a caddy. That unit, in particular quarterback Stetson Bennett IV, underwhelmed in the win over Florida. The former walk-on threw two interceptions, while a healthy J.T. Daniels watched.

Kirby Smart said that Bennett, who entered the season as the backup, played because of continuity and based on his recent performances. A strained lat had sidelined Daniels.

But this week, against woeful Missouri, the decision should be an easy one. Get Daniels back in there. He’s won all seven of his starts at Georgia. He’s the far more dynamic quarterback. He has a much bigger arm and gives the Bulldogs a downfield element they lack with Bennett.

Smart can’t count on his defense doing it all, especially once it faces the likes of Alabama and other title contenders in the SEC Championship game and the College Football Playoff. His team will have to put up points eventually without aid from the defense.

Michigan State is one of the big surprise stories in college football, a program picked to finish dead last in the Big Ten East. Reaching a bowl game would’ve been an acceptable result after winning just twice last season. Instead, the Spartans are a playoff contender and have a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in running back Kenneth Walker III.

But all is not necessarily well. Their success could have a negative component. Mel Tucker, the coach in just his second season, may become a hot coaching name and big-time jobs are already open at LSU and USC. Odds are those schools go somewhere else, but if Michigan State reaches the playoff — and if it can beat Ohio State on Nov. 20 that isn’t a crazy possibility — Tucker will become even more popular.

1. Georgia (8-0) (Last week: 1)

The Bulldogs clinched a fourth SEC East crown in five years on Saturday, annihilating Florida in yet another defensive masterpiece. It’s hard to see Georgia getting challenged until the SEC title game.

2. Alabama (7-1) (2)

Suddenly, the Iron Bowl could have major implications, now that Auburn has knocked off Arkansas and Ole Miss to take over second place in the SEC West behind Alabama.

3. Ohio State (7-1) (3)

An improved opponent and a subpar performance contributed to a mediocre result for Ohio State. The Buckeyes did survive Penn State to remain firmly in the playoff mix, but better showings will be needed in November.

4. Cincinnati (8-0) (4)

The Bearcats are playing with fire, once again letting a bad team hang around. Saturday’s less-than-impressive 31-12 win over one-win Tulane won’t help them with the playoff committee.

5. Oklahoma (9-0) (5)

It was a rarity, a stress-free Oklahoma victory, and it was much-needed entering the stiffest stretch of the Sooners’ schedule. Baylor, Iowa State and Oklahoma State await.

6. Michigan State (8-0) (6)

The game of the year in the Big Ten is now Nov. 20 in Columbus when surprising Michigan State visits Ohio State. The Spartans, picked to finish last in the Big Ten East, are a legitimate playoff contender.

7. Auburn (6-2) (NR)

Oft-criticized quarterback Bo Nix has played some of his best football the last two weeks, producing six touchdowns in wins over Arkansas and Ole Miss. Now, he has to take the next step: Consistency.

8. Oregon (7-1) (10)

Anthony Brown didn’t hear boos this week, not after throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns in a blowout of Colorado. Maybe the jeering from the home crowd the previous game helped him.

9. Notre Dame (7-1) (NR)

Kyren Williams has finally begun to play like one of the better running backs in the country, rushing for 337 yards and three touchdowns the last two weeks after being held to 370 yards and four scores over the previous six games.

10. Wake Forest (8-0) (NR)

One more win and Wake Forest will equal its most since 2007. Nobody could’ve imagined the Demon Deacons — even the Demon Deacons themselves — as the lone undefeated ACC team entering November.

Dropped out: Ole Miss (6-2), Kentucky (6-2), Michigan (7-1)

(in alphabetical order)

QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss

Corral’s streak of games with a touchdown pass ended at 19. His overall numbers remain strong — 25 touchdowns and 2,271 total yards — but his chances are dwindling after a loss to Auburn.

QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

Even in defeat, Pickett posted remarkable numbers, throwing for a school-record 519 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow loss to Miami. His two interceptions, though, were costly. His second came with the Panthers driving for the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter.

QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

The freshman hasn’t thrown an interception in his last 126 passing attempts, as impressive as his 23 touchdown passes or 67.1 completion percentage.

RB Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State

Walker basically locked up a trip to New York City in December on Saturday, making a major statement by running for 197 yards and five touchdowns in the Spartans’ huge win at Michigan.

QB Bryce Young, Alabama

Some experts have installed Walker as the favorite. We’ll call that recency bias. Young has been the more consistent performer against a much tougher schedule.