1 year, 1 month ago

The Big Ten Picks a Risky Fight With College Football’s Most Litigious People

Slate

The Big Ten’s three-game suspension of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, which the conference levied on Friday, is one of the splashiest college football stories ever. College sports’ richest conference is heading down a legal rabbit hole with one of its two most powerful institutions, and the gloves were all the way off even before Michigan accused the Big Ten of handing down the suspension on the Friday of a holiday weekend so that the school couldn’t get a quick injunction to stop it. The NCAA and Big Ten say they have mountains of proof, and nobody at Michigan has even tried to make the case that the program’s staff were not engaged in overt NCAA rule-breaking. The conference stepped around that by saying Harbaugh’s sidelining is not a sanction on him personally, but on the school itself with Harbaugh as an embodiment “for purposes of its football program.” So if it looks like the Big Ten is concocting on the fly a way to punish Michigan and satisfy 13 other schools, it’s because that’s what’s happening.

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History of this topic

3 weeks, 1 day ago

Ohio State, Michigan fined $100,000 each by Big Ten for postgame brawl; no players disciplined

New York Times

The Big Ten fined Ohio State and Michigan $100,000 each for their involvement in a postgame fight that started with Wolverines players trying to plant a flag on the Ohio Stadium field and led to some law enforcement officials using pepper spray to break up the melee. “The Big Ten Conference considers this matter concluded and will have no further …

3 weeks, 2 days ago

Massive fight breaks out between Michigan and Ohio State players as rivalry game ends in 'classless' violent scenes

Daily Mail

A massive brawl broke out on Saturday after unranked Michigan's upset win over rivals Ohio State - with players pepper sprayed by cops in the aftermath. Violence erupted after Michigan's shock win over rivals Ohio State on Saturday afternoon Michigan's Derrick Moore re-stoked tensions by planting a Michigan flag on the field again Michigan players appeared to be pepper sprayed …

1 month, 1 week ago

The most important matchup left for every Big Ten team: IU’s biggest game ever?

New York Times

With three regular-season weeks remaining in Big Ten play, four tiers of teams have emerged. This week, college football reporter Scott Dochterman breaks down the most important game left on each Big Ten team’s schedule. It can still claim the Big Ten championship, grab the CFP’s top overall seed, win the national title and, of course, beat Michigan. The public …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

Big Ten taking no further action on Michigan-Michigan State scuffle after review

New York Times

The Big Ten said it reviewed footage of the skirmish that broke out at the end of Saturday’s Michigan–Michigan State football game but determined that it will take no further action. “While the confrontation was a disappointing conclusion to the contest, the conference appreciates the efforts made by staff from both teams, security personnel and game officials to rapidly de-escalate …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

Big Ten Under Fire: Michigan State Denies Postgame Scuffle, Requests Investigation

Associated Press

Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller requests that the Big Ten investigate a postgame altercation between Michigan State and Michigan players. The altercation resulted in several players being charged with crimes and the Big Ten fining the school $100,000. The conference has not contacted the coach or players regarding the skirmish.

2 months, 2 weeks ago

It’s a championship game rematch as No. 10 Michigan travels to Washington in Big Ten clash

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! It’s a rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff championship game where the Wolverines prevailed, but now it’s an early-season Big Ten matchup. Both teams only vaguely look like the squads that played for the title last season, although Michigan is far closer to the same …

3 months ago

USC vs. Michigan: Three things to watch during the Trojans’ Big Ten opener

LA Times

Before Jim Harbaugh built Michigan back into a national power, the coach was nearly kicked to the curb in Ann Arbor, Mich. Patience with Harbaugh’s plans wore thin. The thing I respected the most about them is they stayed very true and committed to their process and ignored everybody on the outside that thought they deserved an opinion.” USC’s coach …

3 months, 2 weeks ago

USC has quickly become a Big Ten power and should reach the CFP

LA Times

Suddenly, the fantasy feels grounded in reality. USC coach Lincoln Riley talks to staff via his headset during the team’s win over Utah State on Saturday at the Coliseum. “There’s just a long ways to go, man, but, shoot, we couldn’t be more excited about what they’re doing, they way we’re playing defensively right now.” If their victory last week …

3 months, 2 weeks ago

Big Ten’s Week 2 schedule is topped by No. 3 Texas’ visit to No. 10 Michigan

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! We’ll get a better idea about Michigan’s defense when it goes against Quinn Ewers and a Texas offense that churned out 545 yards in a 52-0 win over Colorado State. Northwestern WR Bryce Kirtz, who caught six balls for 91 yards against Miami last week, goes …

3 months, 2 weeks ago

Big Ten goes 17-1 with new coaches, QBs in Week 1’s full non-conference slate

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! With no league contests in Week 1 for the first time since 2019, the league finished a 17-1 weekend with Miller Moss’ dramatic last-minute touchdown drive to give Southern California a 27-20 victory over then-No. “There’s some pretty good Big Ten football today,” Trojans coach Lincoln …

3 months, 3 weeks ago

Comcast-Big Ten Network impasse with West Coast schools part of realignment headaches

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Huskies and Ducks fans who subscribe to Comcast might not be able to see their team’s openers on Saturday due to a carriage dispute with the Big Ten Network. As the one distribution partner that declined to expand along with us, Comcast Xfinity viewers in many …

3 months, 3 weeks ago

Quarterback job still up for grabs as No. 9 Michigan prepares to defend title

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan coach Sherrone Moore hasn’t decided yet who will start at quarterback when the defending national champs open their season at home against Fresno State. “We’ll just see who practices better these next couple of days and then we’ll make a decision, …

4 months ago

The college football season is packed with mouthwatering games from coast to coast

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! 9 Michigan, Sept. 7 Perhaps the nation’s most significant non-conference game matches powerhouse programs from the SEC and Big Ten. 5 Alabama, Sept. 28 An early measuring stick game for Alabama and a chance for new coach Kalen DeBoer to grab a signature win following Nick …

4 months, 1 week ago

Michigan’s Sherrone Moore looks forward to release of text messages in sign-stealing investigation

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan coach Sherrone Moore is taking over college football’s winningest program and all the scrutiny that comes with it. “I’ll just say this: I look forward to them being released,” Moore said, facing more than 30 journalists and more than 10 cameras, …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

NCAA hands former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh a 4-year show cause order for recruiting violations

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! The NCAA said Harbaugh, who left his alma mater to coach the Los Angeles Chargers after last season’s undefeated national championship, “failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance and violated head coach responsibility obligations.” “Harbaugh engaged in unethical conduct and failed to cooperate when he denied …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

Jim Harbaugh: ‘I do not apologize;' Coach again denies knowing about Michigan sign-stealing scheme

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh on Monday said he has no reason to apologize as he continued to deny having any knowledge of the impermissible-scouting operation that triggered an NCAA investigation of his Michigan program during its championship run last year. Harbaugh could …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Big Ten, SEC forming joint advisory group to find solutions to college sports issues

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! The Big Ten and Southeastern Conference are formally trying to find solutions to the issues facing college sports. “The Big Ten and the SEC have substantial investment in the NCAA and there is no question that the voices of our two conferences are integral to governance …

10 months, 4 weeks ago

The rise, fall and rise again of Jim Harbaugh shows how quickly college coaches go from hot to not

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! When Jim Harbaugh took a pay cut from Michigan after the 2020 season, getting another chance to be an NFL head coach seemed like a long shot for him. “Jim Harbaugh didn’t forget how to coach a couple years ago and then say, ‘Oh, I remember …

10 months, 4 weeks ago

Jim Harbaugh won a title, revived the Ohio State rivalry — stop with the ‘cheating’ crying

New York Times

Five years ago, I sat in the Michigan Stadium press box following Ohio State’s 56-27 blowout of Michigan. It’s funny to look back at days like that given what we now know about Jim Harbaugh, the national champion and the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. You can’t mention Michigan’s national title run this year without also acknowledging …

10 months, 4 weeks ago

What does Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan for the Chargers mean for Big Ten football?

New York Times

Jim Harbaugh is officially off to the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers. So what does Harbaugh’s departure mean for the Big Ten after Michigan won three consecutive conference championships? Several of The Athletic’s Big Ten writers put their heads together to try to figure out what to make of Harbaugh’s tenure at Michigan and where the conference stands without …

11 months, 1 week ago

Charlie Baker says Michigan won title ‘fair and square,’ stands by NCAA looping in Big Ten

New York Times

PHOENIX — NCAA president Charlie Baker watched on television as Michigan football won the national championship on Monday night and came away impressed. During a meeting with a small gathering of reporters at this week’s annual NCAA convention, Baker said that the Wolverines were clearly “the better team” and won their title “fair and square”. “I don’t regret doing it …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Michigan’s ability to contend for repeat national title hinges on decisions by Harbaugh, key players

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! “So I’m just ready to keep enjoying this while I can and get back to work whenever we get started again.” Oddsmakers aren’t forecasting a repeat for the Wolverines. “We stood tall, upright and innocent.” Going 15-0, he said, was the result of “good old-fashioned, roll-up-your-sleeve …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Jim Harbaugh says he can sit at ‘big person’s table’ with family after national title win

New York Times

Move over Jack and John, there’s a new champ in the Harbaugh house. After Michigan defeated Washington 34-13 to win the 2023 College Football Playoff national championship on Monday night, Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh joked that he’s now earned his place setting among his dad and brother, who have both won championships as head coaches, during family dinners. “I can …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Jim Harbaugh and Michigan prove there’s more than one path to the top of college football

New York Times

HOUSTON — Jim Harbaugh’s way worked. The Wolverines’ 34-13 victory over Washington and triumph over everyone else who stood in their way to a national title is the culmination of nine challenging years of building a program with a certain purpose. Does it always have to be what’s next, what’s the future?” — Max Olson January 9, 2024 This team …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Jim Harbaugh focusing on Michigan’s championship, not his future: ‘Going to just enjoy this’

New York Times

HOUSTON – Jim Harbaugh has a victory parade in his future. Beyond that, Harbaugh said he’s focused on enjoying Michigan’s national championship and not on seeking out his next challenge, whether that’s chasing another title at Michigan or returning to the NFL. “People want to look at the past or look at the future,” Harbaugh said Tuesday at Michigan’s championship …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Wasserman: Michigan’s quirky, title-winning season is a perfect reflection of Jim Harbaugh

New York Times

HOUSTON — There was something about this Michigan football team, even in the darkest times this season, where it just felt like its coaches and players knew this was all going to end with confetti falling on them in NRG Stadium. All season, long before Michigan beat Washington 34-13 on Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Michigan stymies Michael Penix Jr., Washington to claim first national championship since 1997 season

New York Times

By Lauren Merola, Max Olson, Austin Meek, Jim Trotter and Nicole Auerbach It’s been 26 years, but finally, no one has it better than Michigan. The win marked Michigan’s first national title since 1997 and the completion of a long-anticipated return to the top of college football under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Michigan running back Blake Corum finished with 134 …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Meet Jim Harbaugh’s assistant, sounding board and Michigan’s team chaplain

New York Times

HOUSTON — Wherever Jim Harbaugh goes, Robby Emery usually isn’t far away. “If these men and coaches don’t find the thing they lose, it’s really hard for them to move on to their next,” Emery said. That’s a great sign of leadership.” There’s been talk that Monday’s national championship game could be Harbaugh’s last at Michigan. “I’ll gladly talk about …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Michigan QB McCarthy says sign-stealing saga masked work of players who ‘did things the right way’

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! The sign-stealing scandal that has hung over Michigan’s season has overshadowed the work the team has put in to go unbeaten and reach the College Football Playoff championship game, quarterback J.J. McCarthy said Wednesday. Michigan plays Washington for the national title in Houston on Monday as …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines to play for national title after stopping Alabama 27-20 in OT

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Harbaugh’s Wolverines will play for their school’s first national title since 1997 against Washington on Jan. 8 — but only after a fourth-quarter comeback and a hair-raising finish when the two winningest programs in college football history played just the second overtime game in the 110 …

1 year ago

Michigan receives notice of allegations from NCAA related to recruiting and impermissible coaching

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The NCAA sent Michigan a notice of allegations related to impermissible on- and off-campus recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period and coaching activities, potential violations that led to the school’s self-imposed three-game suspension of Jim Harbaugh to start the season. Harbaugh returned …

1 year ago

Fired Michigan assistant coach Chris Partridge says he had no knowledge of sign-stealing scheme

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Former Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge said Monday in a social media post he had no knowledge of the alleged in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme for which the NCAA is investigating the Wolverines and that he was fired for failing to abide by the school’s directive …

1 year, 1 month ago

Plenty of drama -- on the field and off -- in Big Ten’s last season before westward expansion

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! In 2024, the Big Ten welcomes Southern California, UCLA, Oregon and Washington to the fold — two teams that are still in this season’s playoff race and another that’s a traditional power. Even Iowa’s march to the Big Ten championship game — while averaging 14.8 points …

1 year, 1 month ago

Jim Harbaugh leans on ‘Ted Lasso’ to deal with challenges for No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 2 Ohio State

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! “Despite that noise, our locker room’s in one piece,” Harbaugh said Monday before borrowing a line from the fictional soccer coach in a comedy series. “We’ve got that, and it’s amazing.” Harbaugh sidestepped a handful of questions at his weekly news conference, including sharing his take …

1 year, 1 month ago

Harbaugh’s suspension keeps Sherrone Moore in charge of No. 2 Michigan vs Maryland, No. 3 Ohio State

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! That was the first time many people probably set eyes on Moore, or perhaps even heard of him as they tuned in to see college football’s soap opera unfold. The 37-year-old offensive coordinator will lead Michigan at Maryland on Saturday, when it will have a chance …

1 year, 1 month ago

Harbaugh to serve out suspension, Big Ten ends Michigan sign-stealing investigation in settlement

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan announced Thursday that football coach Jim Harbaugh will serve the remainder of a three-game suspension from the Big Ten in return for the conference ending its investigation into a scheme to steal opponents’ play-calling signals. The university continues to cooperate fully …

1 year, 1 month ago

Jim Harbaugh accepts 3-game suspension as Michigan, Big Ten resolve litigation

New York Times

Jim Harbaugh won’t have his day in court after all. “The university continues to cooperate fully with the NCAA’s investigation.” The Big Ten announced Harbaugh’s suspension Friday afternoon as the team was traveling to State College, Pa. “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 …

1 year, 1 month ago

John Harbaugh sticks up for his brother amid investigation: ‘They don’t have anything of substance’

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! “His phones, his computers and all that stuff have been looked at, and he’s come through this thing with flying colors,” John Harbaugh said. I think it’s a real compliment to our family and to him, something for us to be proud of.” The Big Ten …

1 year, 1 month ago

John Harbaugh says Jim Harbaugh’s phones, computer have been searched: ‘They don’t have anything of substance’

New York Times

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said his younger brother Jim Harbaugh had “his phones, his computers and all of that stuff” looked into as part of an investigation into Michigan’s in-person scouting and sign-stealing scandal, and “he’s come through this thing with flying colors. “It’s been a long run.” Jim is currently serving a suspension that prohibits him from being …

1 year, 1 month ago

Jim Harbaugh says Sherrone Moore will lead No. 2 Michigan if a judge doesn’t rule in school’s favor

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! “I’m just looking for that opportunity, due process,” Harbaugh said at his weekly news conference. I’m just looking for the merit for what the case is.” The Big Ten’s case against the Harbaugh-led Wolverines is that they violated the conference’s sportsmanship policy by conducting “an impermissible, …

1 year, 1 month ago

Jim Harbaugh won’t comment on Michigan’s legal battle, calls Wolverines ‘America’s team’

New York Times

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Jim Harbaugh opened his weekly news conference by saying he didn’t intend to comment on Michigan’s legal battle against the Big Ten until Friday when the two sides are set to present arguments in front of a Washtenaw County judge. He was pretty upset that he heard it through social media and not through the Big …

1 year, 1 month ago

Michigan plays without coach Jim Harbaugh, beating Penn State after no court ruling to lift his ban

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! About 90 minutes before kickoff, Michigan confirmed Harbaugh would not be at Beaver Stadium with the team and that a hearing in the school’s lawsuit challenging the Big Ten’s punishment was scheduled for Nov. 17. “We look forward to presenting our case next week where we …

1 year, 1 month ago

Big Ten got only one thing right in Michigan cheating scandal: Not punishing the players

New York Times

If the sign-stealing scandal involving the University of Michigan football program had not made your head explode yet, it did late Friday afternoon when the Big Ten suspended coach Jim Harbaugh despite acknowledging it had no evidence he had direct knowledge of impermissible conduct by a staff member. GO DEEPER Wasserman: The Big Ten's punishment of Jim Harbaugh was sloppy, …

1 year, 1 month ago

Is Jim Harbaugh’s suspension a surprise? What about Michigan’s response? Big Ten reporters weigh in

New York Times

Updated with Saturday’s news of Harbaugh’s absence at Michigan-Penn State. In one of college football’s more memorable Friday news dumps, the Big Ten suspended Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh from being on the sideline for games through the end of the regular season as punishment for Michigan’s in-person scouting and sign-stealing scandal. Before Michigan’s plane touched down at State College …

1 year, 1 month ago

USC, UCLA to enter weakened Big Ten amid ugly Michigan mud fight

LA Times

The Michigan Wolverines were thousands of feet in the air Friday afternoon on their way to play the biggest game of their season when the Big Ten announced a three-game suspension of coach Jim Harbaugh. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, a Harvard-educated attorney with a TV background, received Michigan’s 10-page response to the conference’s evidence relating to now-former staffer Connor …

1 year, 1 month ago

The Big Ten’s punishment of Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh was sloppy, rushed and pleases nobody

New York Times

The Big Ten felt like it had to make something up. The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh from the sideline of the Wolverines’ three remaining regular-season games, which includes the season-finale against Ohio State. Do the Big Ten coaches and administrators, who have been livid about Michigan’s sign-stealing enterprise, win with this sloppy, abrupt and made-up punishment that happened after Harbaugh …

1 year, 1 month ago

Coach Jim Harbaugh banned from 3 games over sign-stealing allegations. Michigan asks judge for stay

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The Big Ten Conference banned Jim Harbaugh from coaching at Michigan’s three remaining regular-season games on Friday, escalating an extraordinary confrontation with college football’s winningest program over a sign-stealing scheme that has rocked the sport. “Today’s action by Commissioner Tony Petitti disregards …

1 year, 1 month ago

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh suspended three games over alleged sign-stealing scheme

LA Times

The Big Ten banned Jim Harbaugh from coaching at Michigan’s three remaining regular-season games on Friday, defying a warning from the second-ranked Wolverines in an extraordinary confrontation over an alleged sign-stealing scheme that has rocked college football. The Big Ten said the school had violated its sportsmanship policy by conducting “an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over multiple years” that resulted …

1 year, 1 month ago

Jim Harbaugh’s turbulent Michigan 2023 timeline: From NFL rumors to multiple suspensions

New York Times

The 245-day-long Michigan football offseason started with worries that coach Jim Harbaugh may leave the program for the NFL and ended with Harbaugh serving a three-week suspension to begin the season. Harbaugh will end the regular season in a similar way after the Big Ten suspended the coach from games as punishment for Michigan’s in-person scouting and sign-stealing scandal. @SandoNFL's …

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1 day, 23 hours ago

Opinion: Football isn’t just violence. It’s democracy’s schoolhouse

LA Times

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava is congratulated by UCLA offensive lineman Alani Makihele after the rivals’ game at the Rose Bowl on Nov. 23. Sadly, the shoves and punches on the football field reflect a broader trend surging across America: a CEO was gunned down in the street, reporters and media personalities face increasing threats, a presidential candidate was nearly assassinated. …

Football Respect Fair Play Play Bowl Game

2 days, 23 hours ago

Saturday Sports: College and professional football games to watch

NPR

Saturday Sports: College and professional football games to watch SCOTT SIMON, HOST: And whatever else might be happening in a busy week and busy times, we get to say, and now it's time for sports. You wouldn't know it, though, if you heard Indiana coach Curt Cignetti on the pregame show yesterday, where he said, and I quote, "we don't …

Football Games State Today Know Indiana Scott

4 days, 8 hours ago