Around the Big Ten

[Da Geezer]

Well, you're going with the 40%, I'm going with 60%. There may have been additional damning information, not yet publicly reveled and acted upon by the NCAA or B10, that the NCAA has discovered. That would likely be that upper level Michigan staff were directly involved in Stalions' program.

If subsequent to the CFP or heaven forbid between now and the conclusion of the CFP, the NCAA or B10 under the sportsmanship rules presents new information that reveals Harbaugh knew or should have known and slaps additional sanctions on him, I suspect he'll resign. If I was advising him I'd offer he act as a sole claimant and challenge those sanctions in court with a civil defamation suit. JMO, YMMV.

Over the weekend, JH again pushed for revenue sharing for the players. He said he'd take much less money in his salary in order to accomplish this.

The NCAA will never allow a major college coach to take such a position. I believe this is the lawsuit Harbaugh should file. The NCAA has discriminated against him in enforcement because of his stance on player revenue sharing (and his views on abortion)

This is the Harbaugh who can turn this thing around (from 2020)

https://youtu.be/96jUDlF_ULs?si=v9eA0fosS92UfDkG

[lineygoblue]

Spot on, Geezer. Harbaugh's advocacy to have players compensated (even just minimum wage!) has made him an anathema to the NCAA. That is the driving force behind all this stuff that's going on now. Seems like other big name coaches would jump up and give Harbaugh an "amen" when it comes to what's best for the players. But... no. They tuck their tails between their legs and run away... behind Mommy NCAA's apron strings...

As I've thought about this stuff a bit more over the past couple weeks, I am wondering if what we saw in Harbaugh/Michigan accepting the 3 game suspension was more of a tactical retreat, rather than a surrender. A tactical retreat, to let the B1G coaches and AD's have their piece of "3 game suspension" meat, but take the weapons out of their hands by getting the conference to agree to stop any further investigation.

That singles out the only opposition as being the NCAA.

Then, Michigan/Harbaugh retreats back to a position that they can defend better. Take the NCAA on head on, when they come down with their punishments. Michigan will have the right to appeal anything that comes down. They will not prevail in any appeal, (that is pre-determined) .. and then opens the opportunity for Michigan to take the NCAA to court, with all the cards laid on the table.

I laugh at those who think Michigan is going to be required to forfeit as many as 3 seasons of games. Such silliness. NOT happening.

[Jeff Buchanan]

There was a link to a paywalled article in a Chicago Business web site written by the editors that was titled "For the B10, A Tale of Two Scandals." The author's compared how the NCAA handled NW's player hazing and sexual abuse scandal and the sign-stealing scandal at M. For NW, there was abundant testimony that revealed the accuracy of the sexual abuse allegations. Reportedly, Fitz knew (winked his eye) about the hazing and did little to stop it. The NCAA allowed NW to conduct it's own internal investigation and impose appropriate sanctions. Of course, one of those was firing Fitz.

In the case of the NCAA handling M, the evidence that "at the time" did not implicate Harbaugh and it was not clear that Stalion, regardless of his employment status as an M football staffer, actually broke any NCAA rules by what he was doing. Nevertheless, the NCAA provided information to the B10, some of it not made public, and Petitti, given the green light, ran with it, side stepping due process provisions of the NCAA.

As Geezer points out, Harbaugh might have a case that he was discriminant against for his very public statements that players should get paid. The cost of him taking that position, when the NCAA has never been supportive of player compensation, fought and lost in the courts on NIL, is the appearance that the NCAA, facing these two different scandals, handled them each very differently and may have targeted Harbaugh.

[iam416]

Honestly, very honestly -- enjoy your huge win and the rest of your 2023.

[lineygoblue]

Honestly and very honestly. I intend to.

And I'd love to see your face when Michigan does not forfeit any games due to Stalions actions. I'd enjoy that too.

Not. Happening.

[iam416]

If you can find a post where I said that, knock yourself the fuck out. In fact, if you can find a post where I said they are going to forfeit, I'll send you a check for $1,000.

Y'all can carry on with your tinfoil hat bullshit. Whatever. But if you're going imply I said something I did not, then we'll have issues.

So -- FIND. THE. POST.

[iam416]

Whatever. You're going to be leaving the forum in a few weeks, so, meh. I can actually find THAT post.

[WingsFan]

Think about it next year Michigan will roll into Columbus 7-4 6-5, or whatever. Ohio will be going to the new 12-team playoff and Michigan can not even play the spoiler role, the game will mean nothing - only Ohio's spot in the playoffs.


Ill watch the next 2 games, then be a very casual fan (?), if that. I haven't watched an NFL game in 3 years and have 0 interest, give it a year or two and the playoffs will expand to 16-18 teams. NFC vs AFC no thanks...

[iam416]

I really have a hard time seeing Ohio State not being in a 12-team playoff....like ever. Even if Sherrone Moore pulls a 1996 on OSU next year. So, yeah -- it'll suck that way.

I actually think a 12-team playoff is pretty big benefit for CRD/OSU. I mean -- I think it sucks. I'm with you, Wingy -- mostly. But, I think the reality is it's good for OSU.

Whatever. That's a year away. I've been waiting for 2024 since pretty much September so I'll keep waiting.

[iam416]

The funny thing is, of course, is that NHL has the most devalued regular season in all of professional sports. The Bruins are hellaciously good. They were hellaciously good last year. And any smart person would bet on the field -- by a wide margin -- over the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup.

And I assume, Wingy -- you still like hockey. (Could be wrong).

[lineygoblue]

If you can find a post where I said that, knock yourself the fuck out. In fact, if you can find a post where I said they are going to forfeit, I'll send you a check for $1,000.

Y'all can carry on with your tinfoil hat bullshit. Whatever. But if you're going imply I said something I did not, then we'll have issues.

So -- FIND. THE. POST.

I don't really need to find a post. I wasn't referring to you. I've been scouting (legally and by the rules, of course) for a new site or sites to continue talking with M fans about Michigan sports. I'd like to continue that after I leave. But I'm still running into wacko haters who go as far as thinking M is facing the death penalty. I just laugh at those and leave. Its not happening.

Maybe you are one of those who does think that M will have to forfeit games, but you don't share those thoughts here? Maybe elsewhere? I dunno. You're good at sandbagging.

Well, sort of good at sandbagging. You were right about this weekend.

[WingsFan]

Its the new March Madness 2-3 weeks of games that you win and move on, regular season and rival games are done. Yeah Ohio and PSU should be in every year, and it won't be only 12 very long - unless there is something I'm missing? Team 13 will bitch up a storm they were left out, college football is toast as we all grew up watching. and it sucks

[iam416]

Well, I'm not sure why you'd love to see my face when something happens that I thnk will happen (i.e., not forfeiting games). But, whatever.

[iam416]

Its the new March Madness 2-3 weeks of games that you win and move on, regular season and rival games are done. Yeah Ohio and PSU should be in every year, and it won't be only 12 very long - unless there is something I'm missing? Team 13 will bitch up a storm they were left out, college football is toast as we all grew up watching. and it sucks

The 1980s CFB that I grew up has been toast for a long, long time. It is, of course, the perfect example of creeping incrementalism. But, there is absolutely no way the game in 2023 is similar to the game in 1983. Next year, they're just going to kill it a little more.

[WingsFan]

And I assume, Wingy -- you still like hockey. (Could be wrong).

I do, but that sucks also - like all sports now. I like old-time hockey, but that's gone too (and never coming back). I still will be a Red Wings fan, but the NHL has gone and done what Gary Bettman wanted -- the NBA route. It's not the same, too many teams, too many playoff spots. The game itself has changed and I could go on only to bore everyone.