Chances are the Baltimore Ravens 1-6 start, the worst in franchise history, probably hasn’t lessened John Harbaugh’s steely resolve to stick it out, no matter what.

That stubbornness has been a hallmark of his eight years in Baltimore, a tenure that includes a Super Bowl trophy and a run of six playoff appearances in his first seven seasons.

Two losses since the first round of rumors that Harbaugh might be headed to the University of Southern California to leave Baltimore have likely done little to alter his thinking.

Those rumors started on Dan Patrick’s radio talk show two weeks ago as Patrick relayed whispers that Harbaugh was on the short list to replace Steve Sarkisian, who was let go by USC earlier in the week.

By the next morning, Harbaugh was in front of cameras and microphones at the Ravens’ facility in Owings Mills to deny any interest in coaching in Los Angeles.

More than likely, there’s really nothing to this rumor. Even in the midst of the worst start in his eight years here in Baltimore, Harbaugh is one of the most highly regarded coaches in the NFL.

His record in Baltimore is 73-46, a gaudy .624 winning percentage. That’s better than a passel of Hall of Fame or Hall of Fame worthy coaches with names like Walsh, Landry, Stram, Parcells and Noll.  Only five other active coaches have a Super Bowl title.

In addition, Harbaugh signed a contract extension two years ago that will run through next season. The deal is reported to pay more than $7 million annually and places Harbaugh among the highest compensated coaches in the NFL.

Those are all pretty good reasons to suggest that this year’s horror show is a one-off, an anomaly, an aberration.

Maybe. But there are perfectly good reasons for Harbaugh to consider USC, assuming the school is interested.

First, it’s entirely possible that Harbaugh has done about all he can do here in Baltimore. Eight years in one NFL place is an eternity and Harbaugh may start looking for greener pastures. There’s been no suggestion that Harbaugh has lost control of the locker room, but, if the losing doesn’t stop — and soon — he could be tuned out.

While the Ravens have been beset with injuries, the roster is an aging and inconsistent one. Linebacker Terrell Suggs, the team’s best defensive player, will turn 34 during the middle of next season after having been out for all of 2015 with a torn Achilles tendon. In his absence, the defense has been porous, at best, unable to make stops at key moments.

Harbaugh’s 2016 offense will be without receiver Steve Smith, who has been Baltimore’s lone reliable wideout. Smith, who faced San Francisco two weeks ago with four broken bones in his back, has said that 2015 will be the last season in a stellar 14-year career. His absence will leave a profound hole in an already crippled Ravens passing attack.

And speaking of the passing attack, Harbaugh would likely have to rely more on the mercurial Joe Flacco. Now, there are certainly those who see Flacco as more the hero of Super Bowl 47 than the mistake prone gunner who is more likely to throw an interception through three defenders for an interception than for a touchdown.

Heck, Harbaugh has consistently been the former than the latter, but unless general manager Ozzie Newsome can do a better job of surrounding Flacco with playmakers who can relieve the pressure on the quarterback, the forecast likely calls for more pain for Harbaugh.

A move to the college ranks would give Harbaugh a chance to reinvent and reinvigorate himself, in much the same way his kid brother, Jim, has done this year at Michigan, after his days with the San Francisco 49ers.

At a college, John Harbaugh could pick his own roster, something he can’t do in Baltimore, what with general manager Ozzie Newsome in charge.

The money would be good, as boosters at USC would likely pay through the nose to get a coach of his caliber to return the Trojan program back to the top of the college football heap. And last we checked, there’s no snow to shovel in Los Angeles in the winter.

The odds suggest that John Harbaugh will likely want to stay in Baltimore to clean up the mess this season has become. But then, few saw this mess coming in the first place and there may need to be someone new clearing out the Ravens’ cage.