The sign-stealing scandal is the top national media headline regarding the Michigan football program right now, even despite the fact that Michigan just beat a top-10 team by two scores on the road in a classic Big Ten showdown. With Jim Harbaugh suspended for the Penn State game, as well as the coming two matchups (Maryland and Ohio State), it seems to be U-M against the Big Ten, and school leadership and the Michigan community as a whole are rallying behind Harbaugh with all that is going on.
Support for Michigan football and Jim Harbaugh reaches all-time high in Ann Arbor
If the Big Ten wanted Michigan football, U-M leadership, and the Wolverines’ fan base to stop supporting Jim Harbaugh, suspending him for games at Penn State, at Maryland, and against Ohio State was not the way to do it. Since Harbaugh was suspended, the school and its fans have rallied around him like never before.
Before yesterday’s win over Penn State, the Wolverines’ TRO (Temp. Restraining Order) request was denied by a judge — another hearing is scheduled for Friday. This means that, pending a last-second change at the end of the coming week, Sherrone Moore will be acting head coach against Maryland next Saturday.
Warde Manuel takes a strong stance on Big Ten suspending Harbaugh
Right after news of the TRO being turned away broke, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, who is said to have a tense relationship with Jim Harbaugh, said the following in his statement, which shows just how dedicated Michigan football and U-M higher-ups are to Harbaugh
“You may have removed him from our sidelines today, but Jim Harbaugh is our head football coach,” reads an excerpt from Manuel’s statement. “We look forward to defending Jim’s right to coach our football team at the hearing on Friday. He has instilled his pride, passion, and the team’s belief in themselves to achieve greatness. I will continue to support Jim throughout this process, my coaches and staff, and especially our student-athletes as we continue to play this game and fight to win for Michigan and all who love us.”
Yost Ice Arena erupts for Michigan football, Jim Harbaugh
Last night, when Michigan football got off the plane on its way back from the Penn State win, Michigan hockey was playing at Yost Ice Arena right next to Schembechler Hall. With the football team — as well as Jim Harbaugh — making a guest appearance at the game, Yost erupted for Harbaugh and his Wolverines (below).
U-M leaders gearing up for a fight with the Big Ten Conference
It has been reported that the U-M leaders and the Michigan football program are lawyering up to fight the NCAA and Big Ten in an attempt to free Jim Harbaugh. Right now, there is no evidence that implicates Harbaugh in Connor Stalions’ sign-stealing scandal, yet he was still suspended by the conference for the rest of the regular season.
On top of Michigan hiring some of the top lawyers in the nation, new reports state that U-M regents even discussed potentially leaving the Big Ten Conference — perhaps looking to go to the SEC, ACC, or even become independent. There’s likely nothing to these grumblings, but the fact that the regents even discussed it speaks volumes about where they stand on Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football when facing the Big Ten.
Long story short, Michigan football and Jim Harbaugh are feeling the love like never before amid a battle with the Big Ten Conference following a massive nine-point win over Penn State this weekend.
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