What Big Ten settlement means for Michigan football and Jim Harbaugh
Don’t count out Michigan just yet
The road got more difficult for Michigan football without Jim Harbaugh –one of the best football coaches on the planet — but I wouldn’t leave the Wolverines for dead just yet.
Michigan football has to survive a road game against Maryland on Saturday. I’m not taking that game for granted and neither should anyone else.
But after that, Michigan football has a one-game season. If the Wolverines can beat Ohio State at home, they will head back to the Big Ten championship game, where Harbaugh would be able to return, which is also a key part of this settlement with the Big Ten.
The league could have come back and added more punishments. If the NCAA finds evidence/proof that the on-field staff knew, according to Nicole Auerbach, more punishment could follow, but who knows what that would look like.
The Big Ten is now deferring to the NCAA and its penalty process.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 16, 2023
Big Ten will not impose any additional penalties against Michigan unless the NCAA finds/proves that one or more of Michigan’s countable coaches were involved in the Connor Stalions scheme, a league source told me.
In an ideal world, the investigation concludes this offseason or next by the NCAA and there aren’t any other major revelations before the end of this season. The idea was to put the focus on the players and if that is allowed to happen, it will be a good thing for Michigan football.
This team still has enough talent to beat the Buckeyes. I always thought it was going to be tough, even with Jim Harbaugh, so I don’t feel great about it, but it is what it is.
And just imagine if they win.