Michigan Tuesday: Why Now and Why 3 Games?

There has been plenty of discussion since Rivals broke the Harbaugh suspension story on Monday.   Most people are considering two things really: Why have any suspension? and how did you get to 3 games? 

Michigan seemed to have a deal in place with the NCAA for 4 games.  I believe about 80% of that.  I think Michigan was probably around the 2 games area and the NCAA was around 6.  I think 4 was a negotiated situation where neither side was happy.  The NCAA infractions committee was probably closer to 6 games and that's why they didn't accept it. 

Why now? When Jimmy could coach all the games this season and not face any type of punishment until 2024.  

2 Reasons:

#1: East Carolina, UNLV and BGSU

#2: September 7th, 2024 

The first reason is clear to everyone and gets someone or multiple people on his staff head coaching experience which will only help their careers.  #2 is when Texas travels to the Big House next season.  Do you think he wants to be part of Michigan vs. Manning game in Ann Arbor?

I also don't believe this NFL bull sh*t. Jimmy is close to 60 and his style is much better suited for college than the NFL.  Sure, he would love to win a Super Bowl but he pretty much has a job for life in Ann Arbor and would make the same money.  His name always comes up but there never has been a solid offer for him to leave.  

Why 3 Games?

The NCAA has not looked good in this process at all.  They have broken their own rules about commenting on an active case and haven't even sent Michigan a formal notice of allegations yet.   What they sent in January was a tentative notice.   They also seemed to have not honored the negotiated 4 games that were mutually agreed to.    The NCAA continues to look like a clown show and may or may not accept the 3 games but if they have any type of PR firm helping them, they should take the 3 and stop wasting so much time and money on defining lying vs. not recalling a hamburger purchase.

By the way, I don't know how any of this would hold up in a court of law.  I'm not a lawyer but I would assume that State Law would trump any NCAA mandate?

To recap:

• Jimmy agrees to 3 games and misses ECU, UNLV, and BGSU
• His staff gets some head coaching experience 
• Michigan is viewed to be proactive in this matter 
• If the NCAA does not agree and wants to extend the penalty, the Fresno State 8/31 game is still in play.  If it has to go to 6, Jimmy would also miss Texas and Arkansas State. 
• No Big Ten games would be missed either season
• This helps to protect any narrative that Jimmy would be jumping to the NFL to avoid any NCAA suspension 
• Helps protect the 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes

If he has to serve any suspension (and I am assuming the Michigan Leadership felt that he would have to miss some games) this is the best path forward and has little to no downside.  

He still works 6 days a week and just has Saturday's off.  

The NCAA should take the 3 games and a $50K fine to charity and call it day.  

• Last post, I mentioned Oliver Martin catching a ball in the NFL Preseason.  Keeping that same theme, Tarik Black caught a ball last night, he needed 10 yards and caught the ball and tackled at 9. 

• Week 0 Games are a bit strange this Saturday:

Navy vs. ND in Ireland on NBC

RR's Jacksonville State plays on CBSSN

Don Brown has a Primetime game on ESPN 

Brady Hoke SDSU has a primetime game on FS1

Future Big Ten team USC plays in primetime on the PAC 12 Network 

Big Games a week from Thursday:

Florida @ Utah 

Nebraska @ Minnesota 

A week from Friday has an inter-squad game?

Miami @ Miami 😀