That's awesome. You're right in the heart of this so you'd sure know what's happening. I remember the Cooper years (I was a freshman for Earl Bruce's last year). So many years of doing so poorly against scUM sucked beyond belief. Ditto hearing scUM fans with their condescending attitudes about the rivalry and longing for the days when it was more competitive. Yuck. I will never root for a competitive rivalry with scUM. I want us to roll them every single year. If that means MSU takes their place as our main rival, so be it.
As for Harbaugh, I don't know what he'll do there. He's had success in college and the pros, but he's never lasted more than 4 years anywhere. Until I see otherwise my expectations are that he'll do the same there. He'll improve the team, maybe even turn them around - and then move on.