Jim Harbaugh made three big errors Saturday in Michigan's 30-27 double-overtime loss to Ohio State in The Game Saturday.

The first came before the game. The second came in the third quarter. The final one came towards the end of regulation.

The influence of the errors is debatable. The errors themselves are up for debate. But Michigan had a 17-7 lead in the second half of a game where points appeared to be rationed. They were in control of the contest — in control of their own destiny to play in the College Football Playoff — and they choked it away.

After the game, Harbaugh wanted to pin the loss on the officials, saying he was "bitterly disappointed" with the officiating and going just shy of saying that they gave Ohio State the game.

"I thought there were some outrageous calls," he said.

This is a diversionary tactic. The referees did not hand Ohio State the game. J.T. Barrett did get the first down on fourth down deep in Michigan territory in the fourth quarter — they went to instant replay and didn't overturn it. The pass interference penalties Harbaugh rallied against were a judgment call — someone was always going to be upset with the decisions because no one knows what "catchable" really means and not every hook and grab is seen.

And Harbaugh certainly cannot plead innocence to getting a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct against the referees.

There has never been a perfectly officiated game. Sometimes judgment calls go against you. But Michigan didn't lose because of the men in stripes — they can only blame themselves for that loss Saturday, and Harbaugh needs to be at the center of that blame.

Here's why: