Michigan football is firmly in contention for the national championship, but if they win, Paul Finebaum will not acknowledge it.
Michigan’s football team is currently ranked third in the country and is undefeated on the season. Their entire season will be on the line when #2 Ohio State visits Ann Arbor on Thanksgiving weekend. The Wolverines are in the thick of the national title race, but the current NCAA investigation into the program is causing some difficulties. Except for Connor Stallion, who recently resigned, there is currently no evidence that anyone on the Michigan staff was aware of the sign-stealing operation, but Jim Harbaugh has been suspended by the Big Ten for the remainder of the regular season. Harbaugh will not be on the sidelines for Michigan’s big game against the Buckeyes.
Last weekend, Michigan football won a big game on the road against #10 Penn State without Harbaugh. With Harbaugh out, Sherrone Moore is the acting head coach, and he has proven that he is capable of getting the job done.
This whole sign-stealing situation with Michigan has generated a lot of buzz in the college football world, and ESPN’s Paul Finebaum enjoys talking about it more than others. Finebaum and Harbaugh don’t get along (Harbaugh once referred to Paul as ‘Pete Finebaum’ in a tweet), and Finebaum has made that clearer than ever in recent weeks.
Michigan should secure a playoff spot if they defeat Ohio State on November 25th. It’s difficult to see anyone from the Big Ten West competing in the conference championship game this year. The Wolverines are vying for the national championship and are the current betting favorite to do so. If they do win, Finebaum will not acknowledge it.
“They did something wrong — whether (Jim Harbaugh) ordered it or not, he is responsible,” Paul Finebaum said Thursday on the Dan Patrick Show. “Something should be done, and honestly, I don’t think a three-game suspension is that big of a deal, even with the importance of next week’s game (against Ohio State).” … Whether (the investigation) proceeds from here, it is unlikely because the NCAA is no longer equipped to conduct an investigation lasting less than three or four years. … I will not recognize Michigan as national champions. I was taught that athletics should be played on a level playing field, and (the Wolverines) do not subscribe to that.”
What’s interesting about Finebaum’s point of view is that even if Michigan had an unfair advantage prior to the investigation, that shouldn’t be the case now that Stallions has been removed and every team is aware of what’s going on. If anything, the absence of Harbaugh could put the Wolverines at a disadvantage for the rest of the regular season. Paul Finebaum can say whatever he wants, but if Michigan wins it all, it will be on an equal playing field.
Before a national champion is crowned, there is still a long way to go. The Michigan football team will face a difficult road test against Maryland this weekend.
