lordstanley

Wilson: Michigan broke rules but the rules are nonsense. Stunned conference did what they did.

Yeah the BIG document, read objectively, makes it pretty clear that the NCAA is on its way to a guilty finding and a not insignificant punishment. So why wouldn’t the BIG just let that play out instead of doing NCAA’s dirty work and quite possibly blowing up their own conference in the meantime.

Right. I think Michigan understands that if they engaged in illegal activity, they should and will be punished in due course by the NCAA. But the basis for the BIG’s sense of urgency and need for emergency early punishment was so-called player safety and competitive advantage. Which other widespread sign “decoding” blows out of the water.

In the words of Bob Ufer, 50 years ago this month, that can apply to Petiti and the Little 13 today: "They will meet a dastardly fate...they have the audacity, the unmitigated gall"

Writes Rosenberg in that article: Tony Petitti has no idea how badly he just botched his job, but here is a hint: In a meeting last week, Michigan’s regents discussed possibly leaving the Big Ten if Petitti suspended coach Jim Harbaugh without what the school considered due process, a person familiar with those discussions told Sports Illustrated. That may sound like an empty threat, but the fact it was even discussed should tell you how angry Michigan is right now about how Petitti has handled this. The process that led to Harbaugh’s three-game suspension was a clumsy execution of mob justice, and it is by no means over. Michigan is expected to take the Big Ten to court Friday night to try to allow Harbaugh to coach Saturday. (A Michigan spokesperson declined to comment publicly Friday night.) Michigan should be angry. Petitti fell for the dodge. He got suckered into thinking he is standing up for the integrity of the game, when he is really just revealing how little he knows about college football. The Big Ten commissioner suspended Harbaugh for three games, including the two most important ones of the season, for a sign-stealing scheme, even though:

Hmm, Cowherd saying someone within the “Michigan family” might have been the one who first notified the BIG. And that the people within Michigan who knew about Stalions might be wider than previously thought. Also suggests that Michigan is unified behind Harbaugh for now, but that could be fluid if things get even messier or if Michigan starts losing games this season. He also heard that it could be a 3-game suspension, so he got that right. Does call this whole thing silly, overblown, a suspension deliberately disruptive and a very personal vendetta against Harbaugh. Also says this will be very emotional for the players and how will they not unravel, even though they are a great team. Cowherd is no hater, by the way.

That would actually be hilarious. SEC pays to create chaos, watches BIG take bait and implode.

Michigan’s response: https://x.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1723088070197510465?s=20

There was some vote this morning, per the end of the letter. I’ve been scrolling through the letter to see the definition of JGEC, but haven’t found it yet. Probably ends in “Executive Committee” for the EC part.

Right, Michigan has never denied that Stalions was on the payroll. That’s what staff do -watch games and talk to other coaches.

Ha, I think it has broken Mgoblog, link through seems to be dead. That site used to go down regularly.

As does trying to be clever by punishing the institution by not allowing their head coach to be present, rather than suspending Harbaugh directly.

Win the next three games then boycott/forfeit the B1G championship game. Will make the playoff anyways. Screw the conference.

Do Harbaugh and Hart know how to use Apple Watches?

Official Big 10 release says he is not to be present “at the game venue”.

Sources must have meant early afternoon Pacific time. Perhaps a nod to incoming members from the PAC 12.

Wild what is going on in Alberta right now. Calgary and Edmonton are 30 and 31 in 32 team NHL. They have 14 points combined, two fewer than the Wings. Edmonton is already 14 points behind 3rd place in their top-heavy division. Have to expect an Edmonton coach firing at anytime. Oilers’ Jack Campbell has been sent to the minors.

ESPN now posting columns about this whole thing being mostly harmless. That’s their pivot, yeah, Thamel and co’s faux outrage was just a prank.

It has been such a weird season. Non-conference games felt like preseason games, with the rest of the country kicking off while it seems Michigan was still resting. Then came four conference games that I thought would be a bit more competitive but were all cruises. Then two games with this sign controversy in the background. So 9 games in, tomorrow at noon will feel like the first time Michigan is facing a real football challenge this season.

I much prefer that the game between Michigan and OSU be essentially a college football playoff quarterfinal. Win you move on, lose you’re out. But if Florida St and Washington lose somewhere and I wouldn’t be shocked if they did, then Georgia and the Mich-OSU winner would be the only two locks and then you’d be left with a bunch of 1-loss teams. I could see OSU getting consideration if they’re one of those teams. Michigan, no.

Weird penalty by Reimer that led to the loss. Otherwise, except for a couple of odd goals he hasn’t been a weak link so far this season.

Big save by Reimer on the Suzuki breakaway, but a minute later Reimer gets penalized. In between, I thought sure DeBrincat would bury it.

Oh my, Josh Anderson of Habs had winning goal on his stick but whiffed. Off to overtime

Wings are asserting themselves now and seem the more likely to break the tie. 2-2 with 7 minutes to go.