Paul Finebaum: Potential Big Ten action against Michigan 'looks very bad for Jim Harbaugh'

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum said the potential Big Ten action against Jim Harbaugh and Michigan would look very bad for the head coach.

This comes on the heels of Finebuam saying he had “no confidence” in Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti handling a “severe punishment” for Harbaugh and Michigan. The fact that it is being discussed at this rate shows it’s a big time situation, considering any type of punishment could happen before the end of the season.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Petitti and the Big Ten could bring down punishment following meetings with ADs and coaches. Finebaum made the point known Petitti could be stepping in on this situation due to pressure.

“Well, I think it shows the severity of the situation Greeny that the commissioner, and he’s a brand new commissioner Tony Petitti of the Big Ten, would intercede this quickly,” Finebaum said on Get Up. “A lot of commissioners would sit back and say listen, let it play out knowing very well that nothing’s going to happen. Michigan moves on possibly to the national championship but give Tony Petitti a lot of credit for stepping in.

“And why is he stepping in? Because everyone in the league other than Michigan apparently wants him to step in because the situation is that grave.”

‘Looks very bad’ for Jim Harbaugh, per Paul Finebaum

Overall the sign stealing allegations on top of a previous, and still ongoing, NCAA investigation just pile on the bad for Harbaugh and Michigan. But what will this latest potential punishment do?

Well according to Finebaum, it could ultimately amount to nothing in the end despite the initial blow to the head coach.

“I think it looks very bad for Jim Harbaugh,” Finebaum said. “But what does bad mean? Does that mean he misses a game or two? As long as Michigan is still eligible for the playoffs, then you have to wonder what is this really all about. Because the school was gaining, if all these allegations are true, an unfair advantage.

“So it is still a mess, Greeny. I think Harbaugh, very likely he’s going to be suspended. I don’t know for how long. It’s sending a message. But what kind of message is it really?”

Harbaugh, who had a self-imposed suspension for the first three games dating back to a different alleged violation during the 2020 season, could be on the hook for more games.

“The most likely scenario here is some type of suspension for Jim Harbaugh,” Thamel said over the weekend. “I wouldn’t expect anything to happen today before they kick off against Purdue at 7:30. But in the upcoming days, Rece, I would expect that we’re going to find out whether or not the Big Ten will punish Jim Harbaugh, what that will be and how long that suspension would be potentially.”