Around the Big Ten

[Mike]

You take that as some sick burn? That made the rounds in text threads last night among some Michigan friends of mine and we thought it was hilarious.

Give us all the smoke. We don’t give a fuck.

[iam416]

I thought it was funny. So did you. Why so defensive?

[Dr. Strangelove]

I think I speak for most Americans that when I see someone in public decked out in Michigan regalia, I clutch my wallet a little tighter. It's a red flag for shady character and now viewed that way from coast to coast. As Tom is fond of saying, if he steals from your garage that you left open, it's your own damn fault.

[froot loops]

The need to put some respect on the super spy and spell his name correctly.

[Mike]

Hey, has anyone figured out if violating NCAA rule 11.6.1 results in a Level III violation, as has been the case in the last, or could it rise all the way up to a Level II?

[iam416]

I wonder if that Baylor dude did it once or systematically for 2 season. Eh, it's all the same -- everyone tries to steal signs!!!!!

LMMFAO.

[iam416]

Watching M fans and their various approaches to uncontroverted 2+ seasons of cheating is, well....it's making this god-awful season slightly less unbearable.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Desperately trying to make sure HARBAUGH!!! cannot be tied to the "no big deal thing that everybody does"

[Mike]

All I care about is what we’re on the hook for. I don’t think anyone is suggesting that Stalions wasn’t breaking a rule or two. Just want to know what the punishment is. I guess we’ll just have to wait until 2028 or so. Damn shame.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Death Penalty for sure. No not program suspension...I'm talking you need to be shot in the head by a firing squad...or sent to the gallows...

[Jeff Buchanan]

TBH, nationally, the case against Jim Harbaugh started unraveling after Ono shot down Petitti's irrational request to suspend Harbaugh on Friday. Supposedly, that stopped Petitti from going forward to remove Harbaugh from the sidelines for the Purdue game and any number of subsequent games on M's schedule. Observers think that was Petitri's objective in his meeting with Ono.

Clearly, M is circling the wagons around Harbaugh by various messaging tactics - including a pretty clear threat that M will sue if the Big issues a penalty without completing either its own due-process investigation (both sides have to be heard and that is required in the Big's own conference rule book) or one based on a completed NCAA investigation.

There's been chatter that started early today that the law firm that represents the U is working this weekend on a Temporary Restraining order (TRO) that would be filed with a court immediately following any notification by the Big that it is issuing a penalty on Harbaugh. If the judge in the court of filing determines that the request for a TRO is justified, the penalty would be suspended until both sides are heard in subsequent court hearings. I'd count on that outcome at the outset as the court will hear arguments from M's attorneys that the Big would be acting counter to it's own rules. That should happen pretty quickly.

What will take longer is hearing both sides make their arguments for or against the penalty in front of the presiding judge. If the judge rules in favor of M, an injunction follows that could, if permanent, derail any Big conference efforts to punish Harbaugh for the time being. If against, JH will be subject to the penalty.

A law suit elevates the determination of whether Harbaugh was involved in Stalion's illegal activities to a court of law where claimants need to prove up the connection with facts instead of relying on the subjective nature of the current evidence. Let me be clear, of course I think the effort to discredit Harbaugh is BS. That does not however give rise to me jettisoning the idea that Harbaugh may have been involved in stealing signs. I think those of us who have generally supported JH want it proven that he either was or was not involved.

[Jeff Buchanan]

....... and also this is how it has been explained to me if it comes down to suing the Big:

A claimant seeking a TRO needs to show three things to the court: irreparable harm, a likelihood of success on the merits, and the “balance of equities.”

Irreparable harm basically means some kind of injury for which monetary compensation would not be adequate. Not having your head coach during the stretch run of a football season easily meets that.

The “balance of equities” basically compares that harm to Michigan vs. the harm to everybody else if Harbaugh were improperly allowed to coach those games. I’m assuming M wins on that factor too, since the league could always suspend him later if a punishment is deemed necessary.

I think the case would therefore come down to the likelihood of success—meaning whether the Big Ten does or does not have the authority to levy the suspension in the time and manner proposed. From Ono’s letter it appears likely that skipping directly to punishment here violates relevant Big policy. So, M could probably show a decent chance of prevailing on the merits; the stronger that showing, the more likely the TRO and subsequent injunction.

[klondike]

All I care about is what we’re on the hook for. I don’t think anyone is suggesting that Stalions wasn’t breaking a rule or two. Just want to know what the punishment is. I guess we’ll just have to wait until 2028 or so. Damn shame.

Which will take a few months. No way will they figure this thing out in less than next year. As there is no infraction on the books of such a spy gate in question.

They will likely make things up as they go. Reviewing game films is not an infraction. Even video taping them by a low staffer. So far it's unproven if he has any connection to Harbaugh. Will be tough to prove as well.

Like I said, this is unprecedented stuff. And legally no footing. Will be interesting cinema for sure with the public opinion already convicting H'. Funny stuff..

[Jeff Buchanan]

This is great theater. If it weren't for the harm this is doing to Harbaugh - the unfairness of it, it would be enjoyable. The problem is that were talking probabilities of a likely outcome that protect's Jim's and the U's reputation. I'm pretty concerned about the rush to judgement by Big Conference coaches. These are good people who, IMO, have gotten to quickly to the conclusion that M is involved in some massive cheating scheme. I know it's difficult for our distractors to see it any other way than a huge cheating scandal. But I can see how otherwise rational thinkers get hijacked into a narrative by virtue of the media's, social, broadcast and written, constant drum beat of wrong doing. Mob mentality.

[Mike]

All I hear is this:

F7FA84C1-8FF5-478C-AEF7-DB0BABC17B72.jpg