Paul Finebaum has 'no confidence' in Tony Petitti handling 'severe' punishment for Michigan, Jim Harbaugh

Paul Finebaum isn’t willing to bet Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti will properly punish Michigan for its involvement in the “sign-stealing” scandal. On Sunday, the SEC Network analyst discussed potential consequences for the Wolverines with ESPN’s Matt Barrie.

Barrie speculated Petitti could not allow Michigan to play in the Big Ten Championship. Assuming Michigan defeats Ohio State and the Buckeyes win the conference championship, both teams could still reach the College Football Playoff.

Michigan is punished. Michigan reaches the CFP. Everybody is happy, according to Barrie, at least. Despite Barrie’s pretty picture, Finebaum foresees a much messier future.

“They have nowhere to go,” Finebaum said. “Tony Petiti is just playing this great. He’s having meetings with people. But, in the end, I have no confidence in doing anything as severe as you just laid out today.

“Knowing the Big Ten, they’ll probably let Michigan play Penn State this weekend and probably suspend Harbaugh for the Maryland game, which would be really unique. He’d be the only coach who’s ever been suspended twice in the same season.”

Will Jim Harbaugh escape punishment?

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh won’t be the first to fall. On Friday, former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions, who was at the center of the Michigan sign-stealing scandal, resigned from the program.

Nonetheless, Big Ten coaches reportedly aren’t satisfied. On a Wednesday call — which included Harbaugh, who hung up to let the other speak freely — coaches urged Petitti to take action against the Wolverines. A day later, the athletic directors echoed a similar sentiment and discussed a possible suspension for Harbaugh rather than punishing the players.

As Finebaum mentioned, this is the second time this season Harbaugh has been implicated in a scandal. Before the season, the university imposed a three-game suspension on Harbaugh for impermissible on and off-campus recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period.

If you’re looking for answers from Harbaugh, you’re out of luck. After Michigan’s win over Purdue on Saturday, the 59-year-old head coach refused to answer questions about the situation.

“Not allowed to talk about it, not talking about him, really want to talk about the game,” Harbaugh said. “The guys were such stalwarts. The comments keep coming about why they’re good, how they’re good. They’re just good. If you know football and you watch our guys play, I’ve said it before, there’s 20, 22, 23 guys that’ll be playing on Sundays next year. 

“I truly believe there’s another 30, 35 right behind them that’ll return and others that will be developing. It’s just really good players. If you know football, just watch the game, turn on the tape, that’s why they’re so good. They’re good at it.”