Michigan has issued a response to the three-game suspension handed down by the Big Ten, and it is a big one. The school intends to file a court order in the hopes that Harbaugh can remain on the sidelines during games until the case moves through the legal system. "Like all members of the Big Ten Conference, we are entitled to a fair, deliberate, and thoughtful process to determine the full set of facts before a judgment is rendered. Today's action by Commissioner Tony Petitti disregards the Conference's own handbook, violates basic tenets of due process, and sets an untenable precedent of assessing penalties before an investigation has been completed. We are dismayed at the Commissioner's rush to judgment when there is an ongoing NCAA investigation - one in which we are fully cooperating. "Commissioner Petitti's hasty action today suggests that this is more about reacting to pressure from other Conference members than a desire to apply the rules fairly and impartially. By taking this action at this hour, the Commissioner is personally inserting himself onto the sidelines and altering the level playing field that he is claiming to preserve. And, doing so on Veteran's Day -- a court holiday -- to try to thwart the University from seeking immediate judicial relief is hardly a profile in impartiality. To ensure fairness in the process, we intend to seek a court order, together with Coach Harbaugh, preventing this disciplinary action from taking effect."
First... Michigan is busted and they know it. Second... they are now knocking the Big10 Commissioner Petitti's ruling and basically saying 'he' is in violation and unfair. I suppose accusations and such is a healthy way to do business if your representing Michigan. Third... as I mentioned previously, this could back-fire. 3 games without Harbaugh is not a steep or brutal punishment. In my opinion, its weak and not fair to others that have been tagged with forfeitures over way lesser violations... as Lyman previously stated about the OSU Buckeyes. With a clear and open minded approach with expediency by the NCAA, Im hoping Michigan gets popped with the same form of punishment other programs have dealt with in the past. No way should a proven violation of this extent allow the guilty party to compete against a non-cheating competitor in the CFP.
Per multiple reports, Michigan’s request for a temporary restraining order blocking the game-day suspension of Harbaugh has been denied. A hearing will be held on November 17. This means that the judge decided based on the emergency submission that Michigan failed to make a sufficiently compelling case for the extraordinary remedy of a TRO. Instead, both sides will get a chance to submit paperwork and make arguments in court on a motion for a preliminary injunction, which would allow Harbaugh to keep coaching while the litigation challenging the Big 10’s suspension of Harbaugh proceeds.
Michigan, Big Ten resolve litigation; Jim Harbaugh will serve remainder of suspension Jim Harbaugh wanted to be Tom Cruise. Apparently, he realized there was a greater chance he’d be Jack Nicholson. Michigan has issued a statement accepting the three-game suspension of its head coach. It ends the lawsuit filed by Michigan against the Big Ten, and it cancels Friday’s hearing on whether the suspension would be blocked while the litigation was pending. “This morning, the University, Coach Harbaugh, and the Big Ten resolved their pending litigation,” Michigan said, via Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports. “The Conference agreed to close its investigation, and the University and Coach Harbaugh agreed to accept the three-game suspension. Coach Harbaugh, with the University’s support, decided to accept this sanction to return the focus to our student-athletes and their performance on the field. The Conference has confirmed that it is not aware of any information suggesting Coach Harbaugh’s involvement in the allegations. The University continues to cooperate fully with the NCAA’s investigation.” The closure of the Big Ten investigation amounts to nothing more than Michigan creating the impression that it got something tangible for dropping the lawsuit. The truth is that Michigan got nothing. The truth is that Michigan capitulated to the Big Ten. in part/PFT ____________ ______________________ IMO, not a big deal, in fact, not even close to punishment. I hope the NCAA does the right thing... Im not holding my breath.
“The Big Ten Conference’s commitment to student-athletes, sportsmanship and the Commissioner’s duty to protect the integrity of competition will never waver,” the conference said in a statement. “Today’s decision by the University of Michigan to withdraw its legal challenge against the Conference’s November 10th Notice of Disciplinary Action is indicative of the high standards and values that the Conference and the University seek to uphold. The University of Michigan is a valued member of the Big Ten Conference and the Conference will continue to work cooperatively with the University and the NCAA during this process.” Not a settlement or a resolution. A withdrawal. A folding of tents. A retreat. An abandonment. The Big Ten also said nothing about ending its investigation of Michigan, as Michigan explained in its own statement. The end result continues to be that Harbaugh will miss the next two games, after missing Saturday’s win over Penn State. And the NCAA continues to investigate the sign-stealing scandal, with further discipline possible. ________ ________________ Good points by Florio at PFT
Linebackers coach Chris Partridge has been relieved of his duties, via Nicole Auerbach of TheAthletic.com. “Effective today, Chris Partridge has been relieved of his duties as a member of the Michigan Football staff,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. “Rick Minter will serve as the team’s linebackers coach.” Via Yahoo.com, Michigan doesn’t believe Partridge knew about the advance scouting/sign-stealing scandal that sparked the current situation in Ann Arbor. However, Michigan reportedly believes Partridge attempted to cover up evidence. The news comes one day after Michigan abandoned its legal challenge to coach Jim Harbaugh’s three-game suspension, while also (apparently) attempting to couch folding the tents as some sort of settlement.
The bitter rivalry between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan has brokered many a storyline, and the 2023 edition will add a strange chapter when the teams meet Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich. On the line are a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game against Iowa and College Football Playoff implications, but Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh will be serving the last of a three-game suspension. He was sidelined by the conference because of the sign-stealing scheme organized by former recruiting analyst Connor Stalions. Harbaugh is allowed to coach during the week, but offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore will be the acting head coach on game day, as he was for wins over Penn State and Maryland. Whatever his title, Moore realizes the gravity of the rivalry. "We all know what it means," he said. "It's The Game. It's the one you practice, you play for, you work for all year. So, we all know the stakes. And that would give us a chance to go to repeat our Big Ten title." The Wolverines (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) seek their third straight win against the Buckeyes for the first time since 1995-97. "We are in a position to be in position. That's what we know," Harbaugh said. "(We're) 11-0, they're 11-0. Everything, all focus and preparation, is on this game -- as it should be." The Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0) are out for revenge after dominating The Game for years. They won eight in a row from 2012-19 before the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellation of the 2020 game. Since then, the Wolverines won 42-27 at home in 2021 and 45-23 last season in Columbus. "There are guys with scars, and I'm one of them," Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Tuesday. "It just drives you every day to work harder and make sure you do everything possible to win the game." Even with blowouts in the past two meetings, the numbers suggest a down-in-the-trenches, low-scoring game. The Wolverines are first nationally in scoring defense (9.0), total defense (234.8 yards per game) and defensive touchdowns (five) and are second in pass defense (144.8), just behind Ohio State's 144.4. The Buckeyes are second in scoring defense (9.3) and third in total defense (252.9) "They're going to provide a challenge, but we're always up for a challenge," Michigan running back Blake Corum said. "They're fundamentally sound. They play good as a unit and they fly around, so I think it will be a good game. We just have to have a good week of preparation and prepare for a top defense." The Buckeyes were selected for the College Football Playoff last season despite the loss to Michigan and fell to Georgia in the semifinals, but Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke understands the responsibility to beat the Wolverines. "I'm not just doing it for myself," he said. "I'm doing it for my teammates. I'm doing it for my head coach. I'm doing it for our coaches. I'm doing it for the state of Ohio. We don't want to let them down." --Field Level Media
