Bruce Feldman predicts Jim Harbaugh will win national championship, leave for NFL

The Jim Harbaugh vs. the NCAA saga took another turn when Michigan self-imposed a three-game suspension as part of the investigation process. Harbaugh is at the center of an inquiry regarding recruiting violations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the process will extend beyond the season as the NCAA continues to look into the situation.

As the Wolverines’ season opener approaches, the question is already coming up about what Harbaugh could do after the season given the looming penalty. In fact, The Athletic and FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman logged a bold prediction about not only what Michigan might do on the field, but what Harbaugh could do afterward.

“I think you also have a case, to be quite honest, where Jim Harbaugh has flirted with the NFL and last year, certainly with the Broncos. I think he wins a national title and rides off into the sunset and some NFL team grabs him,” Harbaugh said on The Rich Eisen Show. “And then, he’s just like, ‘See you, NCAA. I don’t care what you do.'”

Rumors connecting Jim Harbaugh to the NFL have come up the last two offseasons, notably involving the Minnesota Vikings and the Broncos. Ultimately, though, he opted to stay at Michigan both times — although the question doesn’t seem to be going away.

Bruce Feldman: Jim Harbaugh could stay ‘very vocal and step on a lot of toes’ amid NCAA investigation, Michigan’s success

The NCAA’s investigation into Harbaugh has taken a few turns. Just ahead of Big Ten Media Days, reports said he was facing a possible four-game suspension as a result of false statements amid recruiting violations. Rumors and reports continued to swirl about the nature of the violations, and the NCAA released an unprecedented statement clarifying a cheeseburger wasn’t part of the inquiry.

Feldman noted how rare it is for the NCAA to publicly address an ongoing investigation, but noted there’s “friction” between Michigan and the NCAA that could’ve played a role in it. If the Wolverines continue to do well, he thinks Harbaugh could speak out even more.

“I think, look, you also have a little bit of friction — maybe even more than a little — with Jim Harbaugh and Warde Manuel, the AD,” Feldman said. “There’s a lot of stuff going on. I think you’ll see, especially as Jim Harbaugh and Michigan keep winning and keeps ascending this year, I think you’ll see Jim Harbaugh be very vocal and step on a lot of toes. It’ll be interesting to see how they keep the train on the tracks here.”

Of course, Harbaugh has already spoken out about the NCAA this week. He gave an impassioned statement about revenue-sharing and how the status quo is “unacceptable” during his media availability.

Feldman noted he’s not the first coach to talk about the issue, but one thing is becoming apparent. It’s not the last we’ll hear about revenue sharing, whether people like the topic or not.

“We’ve had some coaches — Chip Kelly’s another one who’s spoken up about that and I’ve had conversations with him talking about revenue sharing,” Feldman said. “I think you will see that conversation keep getting advanced. I think a lot of people are uncomfortable with it, I don’t think they like how the economics work out. But that’s one of those things that’s headed in that direction.”