Tuesday Thoughts: Jim Harbaugh finally knows what we knew about Michigan State; Finebaum calls MSU response ‘garbage’

The last word on the “tunnel incident” starts with a journey back in time to 2015. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh had just been hired, having been immersed in his NFL job for several years. He had nothing but kind words to say about Mark Dantonio and his program — and for a segment of the Michigan fan base, there was a realization that he might not be certain of the rivalry’s … well, much hotter temperature than when he played. 

RELATED: A ‘bad rivalry’ gets worse, and the Michigan State spin isn’t helping

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Specifically, it had gotten ugly, which of course had nothing to do with him. 

No, it was all about Dantonio, who, in order: 

• Asked for a “moment of silence” after Michigan lost to Appalachian State. And then, when U-M took it on the field after beating the Spartans with a banged-up team in 2007, publicly made fun of Mike Hart’s height in a Monday presser. 

• Had his team line up to face a terrible Michigan team — RichRod’s first — before the National Anthem in an apparent intimidation tactic, then paraded the Paul Bunyan Trophy around the stadium after a come-from-behind win. 

• Watched his players rush the Michigan sideline after a win in 2011 and hold up 4 fingers in the U-M players’ faces after winning their fourth straight in the series. That in a game in which his players were twisting Denard Robinson’s helmet at the bottom of piles with apparent intent to injure, after which his defensive coordinator bragged of playing with “60 minutes of unnecessary roughness.”

• Ran up the score in 2013 with a late, meaningless touchdown. 

There was more — much more. So, forgive us if we don’t agree with the ridiculous columns such as “we all need to be better on both sides,” written by columnists who have been here for a few years and have no idea of what actually led us here. 

Or those who ridiculously blame Jim Harbaugh for bringing it to this level. He has, in fact, been the adult in the room, even after Dantonio mocked Michigan fans after the 2015 punt drop gift win and had one of his staffers (per John Bacon’s book “Overtime”) run to Sarah Harbaugh, Jim’s wife. He then reportedly got in her face and mocked her by wiping fake tears from his eyes.

It escalated in 2018 with the ridiculous pregame “field march” through the Michigan players, arm in arm with helmets on, after which Harbaugh finally called Dantonio out (deservedly) when the MSU coach lied about his role in it. 

And let’s be clear — their fanbase ate it up. It took the rivalry to an even unhealthier level. And that is what led to the events you saw Saturday in Ann Arbor. 

The nation agrees — no excuse for Michigan State tunnel assault

That, of course, was a tunnel assault on two Michigan players that can’t be justified, though a large segment of the MSU fan base is doing its best to try. Even Harbaugh critic and ESPN’s Paul Finebaum credited the Michigan coach for his response after groups of Spartans, including top defender Jacoby Windmon (who somehow has yet to be suspended — more on that in a minute), attacked corners Gemon Green and Ja’Den McBurrows in the tunnel. 

ESPN’s Mike Greenberg called it “without question, the worst moment of the college football season so far — the ugly scene over the weekend when four Michigan State players were seen roughing up two Michigan players in the tunnel after the game on Saturday.”

Finebaum took it a step further.

“I give coach Harbaugh enormous credit for showing grace under pressure, because I think a lot of people would have just lost their minds,” Finebaum said. “I think he understands what’s at stake here, and there’s more than just apologies. There’s a criminal element to this, and I think he said it, and I think most people agree that criminal charges could very well be filed here.

“What really bothered me is these blanket apologies that Michigan State offered from the president down to the head coach and athletic director. That’s garbage. You just can’t issue a statement. Much more needs to be done, and so far, I haven’t seen very much that meets that standard.”

From Michigan State or the Big Ten, for that matter. Perhaps they’re waiting for more evidence (as though there’s not enough out there), but commissioner Kevin Warren has been oddly silent. 

We’re not making accusations. However, attorney Tom Mars, who is representing Green in a civil suit (and by the way, Green was in the tunnel early as he always is so he could shower and see his father — Angelique Chengelis wrote a great article about this, paywalled and well worth it) brought up an interesting point in a response to our tweet about Windmon having yet to be suspended:

I assume the delay by the B1G 10 is the result of Kevin Warren not being able to participate in the review because his son is a tight end on MSU’s football team. Hard to imagine a worse conflict of interest. pic.twitter.com/aqt3enJ92j

— Tom Mars (@TomMarsLaw) November 1, 2022

This is a black eye for the conference. And unlike other situations involving the Spartans, there’s too much evidence to sweep this one under the rug. There’s reportedly even more video out there, and police are investigating. 

It seems arrests are imminent, and it goes beyond the four players initially suspended. 

For years, MSU has been begging for “respect” and Michigan’s “attention.” MSU alum and national journalist Jemele Hill told U-M alum Rich Eisen on his show:

“I think the rivalry means more to us. I think the rivalry means something to Michigan, but because of Ohio State’s presence, there’s a debate there about it for you [Michigan fans] … which is ironic, because all that does is irritate Michigan State fans more. We want to be the one you hate the most — not Ohio State.”

Well … they’ve gotten that wish. But the OSU hatred comes with a respect for that rivalry, even if Ohio State fans — like MSU’s — have an unhealthy hatred for the Wolverines. 

And it was already clear before the season Michigan State had Harbaugh’s attention when he mentioned them by name, something he hadn’t done. A couple losses many might deem “flukish,” from 2020 opt-outs to last year’s controversy, and Mel Tucker somehow had a 2-0 record despite his team (currently) having the second-worst scoring differential (to Rutgers) in the Big Ten since his arrival.

Now, though, they’ve got Harbaugh’s full attention. They called down the thunder — well, now they’ve got it. Jim comin’ … and hell’s coming with him. 

But Saturday night/early Sunday morning is the latest exhibit as to why the Spartans might have moved higher in the pecking order (still not — and never will be — OSU) but will never have Michigan’s respect in a healthy way. That is … at least until they change (but don’t hold your breath). 

And now, the nation knows why, too.