In Italy, the national soccer team is nicknamed Gli azzurri — which translated means “the blues.” This is indirect correspondence to blue being the primary color of the uniform.

The University of Michigan’s football team is also prominently known for sporting a shade of blue. Naturally, the link between the two ‘football’ teams would lead to Jim Harbaugh taking his team on a trip across the pond to Italy.

No, this isn’t a joke.

According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, Michigan is reportedly planning on utilizing the final week of spring practice in Rome. In theory, the trip would include sightseeing — as well as the option for the players to stay in Italy and study abroad for a summer session.

Many college programs — whether it be basketball or soccer — have done similar things. UCLA’s basketball team recently had a summer tour in Australia. This included practicing, and playing against professional teams within the country.

However, this likely is the first time in which a college football program will make the trek to a foreign land.

Harbaugh hasn’t been shy about exploring unchartered waters. Last year, the Michigan head coach held spring practice at IMG Academy in Florida. This irked many college coaches down in the Southeast — particularly because IMG Academy is home to some of the best college football prospects in the country.

Harbaugh looked at it as an opportunity to extend Michigan’s proverbial footprint to another region of the country — and one which is chock-full of elite talent. Due to the uproar, the NCAA passed a ruling which prohibits practice at an off-campus site during a vacation period outside of the season.

The ruling would appear on the surface to prohibit Michigan from taking a trip to Europe. However, Michigan’s athletic department plans on igniting the trip after the semester ends. This would then not fall in any scheduled vacation time period (such as Spring Break).

As he’s proven to do time and time again, Harbaugh is pushing the envelope to the best of his ability.