Jim Harbaugh's suspension over Michigan football's sign-stealing could mean an NFL return
Michigan's sign-stealing scandal hit a new low on Friday, when Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti suspended head coach Jim Harbaugh for three games — the rest of the regular season. The commish pointed to the “sportsmanship” provision, but the suspension applies only to game days, meaning Harbaugh can still coach the team at practices. The Big Ten succumbed to pressure without due process.
Earlier in the week, it was also reported that star running back Blake Corum and ex-staff member Connor Stalions, the architect of the scheme, are listed together on records with the Wyoming Secretary of State as organizers of a limited liability company called BC2 Housing LLC, with offices listed in, you guessed it, Ann Arbor, Mich.
While news of Harbaugh's suspension comes as a surprise, especially after Michigan has encouraged "patience" and is gathering evidence of the same behavior by other Big Ten schools, I won't write the Wolverines' obituary just yet. It says here that Harbaugh should sail off into the sunset to take an NFL head coaching job next year, following the Pete Carroll playbook on how to bend or break rules on your way from college head coach (USC) to NFL head coach (Seattle). Do you think Carroll cared about all the collateral damage he caused at USC? Fuhgeddaboudit!
Rough going for Coach Prime
Coach Prime started 3-0 and Colorado was the college epicenter of the universe? He's now 1-5 in his last six games, after falling to No. 16 Oregon State, 26-19. Those first three opponents were a combined 12-15. Next up is No. 23 Arizona. Good luck.
Really Clemson? Really?
What's happening at Clemson? The Tigers defeated Notre Dame at home, 31-23, and the fans stormed the field? As time expired, coach Dabo Swinney nearly collapsed after the final play. This school is three years removed from playing for a national championship and an annual CFP contender. Now, a victory over 7-3 unranked Notre Dame and it's like they won the title! This is Clemson, for crying out loud! Act like you've been there before. As for Swinney, he has clearly lost his mojo.
TV cameras given too much access
Television cameras can "travel" almost anywhere. From interviewing coaches during games, to running out to the end zone to film a player or checking out a fan's reaction, there are no boundaries. Why? Because money buys access. With the huge sums being paid these days, nothing is sacred. After USC lost to Washington last week, 52-42, USC quarterback Caleb Williams was followed from the field to the stands where he met his family and began weeping into his mother's arms while covering his face with a paper. Was that really newsworthy? And shouldn't that have been a private moment for Williams? Just a lousy decision.
Alex Grinch takes the fall at USC
Why did USC coach Lincoln Riley fire defensive coordinator Alex Grinch? Simple. He had to point the finger at someone else because that euphoric ride on the Trojan horse is over. Grinch was the easy scapegoat. But Riley is ultimately responsible. You can't play with inferior talent and expect to win consistently. It's Riley's second year but Trojan fans are learning Riley only coaches and recruits one side of the ball. He's got eight years and over $80 million left on his contract so he's going nowhere. Is another Jimbo Fisher situation developing?
There ought to be a law!
How can the Oklahoma state legislature allow the 118th edition of last week's Bedlam (Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State) be its last? It would take courageous political leadership to pass a unanimous resolution ordering the game to be played annually. Sorry, I answered my own question. There is no courageous political leadership. That's an oxymoron.
Telling time is not that hard
It happened again. Another team lost a game because of clock mismanagement. Tied at 33, Florida quarterback Graham Mertz completed a 20-yard pass to the Arkansas 21-yard line with the clock momentarily stopped and a first down. Spike the ball, kick the winning field goal and celebrate! Instead, Florida's field-goal team inexplicably ran onto the field, resulting in a 5-yard penalty for having 17 players on the field. The field goal — no good, just wide right. The Razorbacks prevailed, 39-36, in overtime. Again, every team needs a "clock management advisor." I remain ready, willing and able to interview for that position at any school in the country. At $7 million per year, Gators coach Billy Napier has the budget to come calling. He'd have an extra victory this season with me by his side.
This week's top-25 picks
No. 18 Utah (7-2) at No. 5 Washington (9-0) -9.5: We've told you about Utah's coach, Kyle Whittingham, who is among the very best. But the Utes offense is done for the year with quarterback Cameron Rising redshirting. Against the Huskies' offense, he will have the ultimate challenge. Michael Penix Jr. is a Heisman finalist and it says here, they run it up big! Huskies roll!
No. 13 Tennessee (7-2) -2 at Missouri (7-2): The Tigers proved they can play with the big boys last week, losing at Georgia, 30-21. Tennessee does not play well on the road. It comes down to Vols quarterback Joe Milton and how well he plays because both defenses are not that impressive. Tennessee may be looking ahead next week to Georgia. Then again, Missouri may be down after last week. I'll go with the latter and pick the Vols.
No. 9 Mississippi (8-1) at No. 2 Georgia (9-1) -10: An elimination game. The Bulldogs are without their all-American tight end Brock Bowers again. It didn't matter last week against Missouri and won't matter against Mississippi. The Rebels have already exceeded expectations this year. They just don't have the horses to compete with Georgia on the line of scrimmage. Plus, the game is in Athens. Expect the Bulldogs to get off to a quick start and turn it up at halftime. Goodnight Rebels!
No. 2 Michigan (9-0) at No. 10 Penn State (8-1) +4.5: Everything has changed. This is about winning one for Harbaugh. The Wolverines have been dominant with the 111th-ranked schedule in the country. Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy completes 77% of his passes, but don't be fooled. The competition has been horrendous. Huge national implications. The Nittany Lions? Coach James Franklin just cannot get a signature win (3-16 against top-10 teams). Against Ohio State, PSU quarterback Drew Allar was an anemic 1-for-16 on third downs, losing 20-12. This game now has more significane than any game this year, even more than facing Coach Prime. Wolverines have the incentive and will blow out Penn State. And I'll be there to see it live.
My record: 2-3 last week against the spread; 20-9 on the season.
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Ken Schreiber says Jim Harbaugh's suspension could mean an NFL return
