No. 3 Michigan's season begins in earnest at No. 10 Penn State on Saturday (noon ET, Fox), and it could take place without Jim Harbaugh.
After the Big Ten notified Michigan on Monday of impending punishment, a decision is expected Friday, and ESPN's Heather Dinich said on Get Up Friday morning that a 3-game suspension for Harbaugh could be on the table.
“Sources indicate that the Big Ten will give Michigan a response early this afternoon,” Dinich said on Get Up. “Michigan leaves at 1 p.m., they’ll fly mid-afternoon… Last night, Michigan sources indicated to me and my colleague that they had not had any communication with the Big Ten and there still has not been evidence presented to Michigan that Jim Harbaugh knew, orchestrated any of this, or lied.”
“The Big Ten, we’ve learned has considered the gamut of punishments,” Dinich said. “Now, we’re hearing this morning, it could be a three-game suspension, which would be significant and it could start this weekend.”
Michigan has indicated it would pursue legal action in the event Harbaugh is suspended, arguing that such an action is outside the scope of the Big Ten's sportsmanship policy as outlined in the Big Ten Handbook and that there is no evidence Harbaugh knew of or approved Connor Stalions' spy ring. Stalions resigned last week.
The Big Ten has also floated that it could also implement a fine and/or a public reprimand for Michigan, so all options appear to be on the table.
While we wait ... although Big Ten has considered a suspension for Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, it is considering a range of possibilities, including a significant fine, sources told @CFBHeather and me. Public reprimands/fines are common penalties under B1G sportsmanship policy.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 9, 2023
Harbaugh sat out a self-imposed 3-game suspension to begin the season as the NCAA investigates Michigan for COVID recruiting violations, so a bookend 3-game suspension would mean the Wolverines would play half their regular season without their head coach.
If a 3-game suspension does come to pass and is not struck down by the courts, there is a bright side for Michigan.
Opponents have now had ample warning to change their signals, and if Michigan is able to get a punishment for Harbaugh behind them, the Wolverines -- to this point, the most complete team in college football -- could pursue a national championship unfettered from accusations that they did so by getting away with rule-breaking along the way.
Of course, there's a long way from there to here. Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.