Michigan football legend calls out Big Ten and more

Today, on ESPN, which has been highly critical of Jim Harbaugh and more throughout the sign-stealing scandal, Michigan football legend Desmond Howard made his voice heard regarding his thoughts on the Big Ten Conference and its handling of the scandal thus far. With punishment potentially coming later today for Harbaugh and the Wolverines — less than 24 hours before No. 3 Michigan faces No. 10 Penn State — Howard aired out a lot of strong thoughts, even comparing the Big Ten to the SEC in its handling of these events.

Michigan football legend sounds off on Big Ten handling of the sign-stealing case

So, what did Michigan football legend and former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard say in defense of his Wolverines this morning?

“What (Michigan football) is asking for seems to be fair when they ask for due process,” Howard said. “What has happened in this whole scenario, this whole narrative is that because the coverage has been so intense, it’s created this groundswell of emotion. And because of this groundswell of emotion, that’s what it seems (Tony) Petitti is responding to.”

Desmond Howard adds more on due process

Desmond Howard added that due process is in place for a reason — to avoid situations like this one, where Michigan football is being ganged up on by the other conference members and media without the proper processes and evidence being presented.

“Due process is in place so you don’t act emotionally. You let the facts come out, and you let the process work through everything it’s supposed to in gathering facts and information. That’s all Michigan is asking for. It seems like the groundswell of emotion wants the Big Ten to circumvent what’s going on with the NCAA.”

This wouldn’t happen in the SEC, Howard adds

Howard then shifted his focus and went on the offensive against the Big Ten Conference. Would this happen in the SEC? Nope — and Howard knows that to be true.

“And I tell you what — this would never happen in the SEC,” the Michigan football legend added. “The SEC Commissioner would never, ever let Vanderbilt and Kentucky and all these other universities say, ‘Hey, you need to punish Nick Saban and Alabama right now. We know they’re on a quest to win the national championship, but to hell with that. You need to punish them right now.’ He would kick them out of his office. That would never happen. It’s just a lot of money at stake too, you got to understand that. It’s like $6 million per team.”

No. 3 Michigan football set to face No. 10 Penn State tomorrow amid sign-stealing case

Regardless of how Big Ten Conference leadership rules on Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football this afternoon, the Wolverines will face a top-10 Penn State Nittany Lions team tomorrow in Happy Valley.

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