Crain's Editorial: For the Big Ten, a tale of two scandals
Paywalled, but an interesting take I haven't heard before, comparing Petitti's response to this vs. Northwestern's scandal. LINK
Obviously the difference is the supposed "competitive advantage" gained by our actions, but this is the money shot:
And yet, beyond some mild statements of concern, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti seemed satisfied to allow Northwestern to conduct its own investigation into the hazing allegations and to stay out of the way. Not much outrage beyond that seemed to emanate from the Big Ten’s Rosemont headquarters — certainly nothing on par with the conference’s rapid response to the charges against Michigan. No doubt the reactions of other conference members had something to do with the divergence in intensity and magnitude. Sexual abuse is one thing, apparently — but sign-stealing is another entirely, and one which evidently cannot be tolerated.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:36 AM ^
I wouldn’t mind seeing Jim give Pettiti a middle finger to the face during next weekend’s trophy ceremony.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:40 AM ^
I mean inwardly I'm sure Harbaugh may feel this if UM wins. But doubt he does anything other than accept graciously and then hand the trophy to the captains. In the moment of games and post-games he's always been focused on the players no matter whatever noise is happening.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
I'm not counting any chickens before they're hatched. If Michigan prevails - I believe that Santa Ono and Warde Manuel should be on the dais - and, they could accept the trophy from Petitti - and they (Ono / Manuel) could share it with the team.
One play, series, and game at a time. Kickoff's just after 8:00 pm on Saturday evening.
Go Blue!
November 27th, 2023 at 11:17 AM ^
"Give it to this guy" as he points to Connor Stalions.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:30 AM ^
Seriously though, I would die if Jim just said, "Give it to this guy" and pulled Sherrone Moore to the front to accept the trophy.
That's the move.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:02 PM ^
I think Santa & Warde should be there as well....and after Harbaugh graciously accepts the trophy from Petitti, Santa & Warde should grab the mic, open up these "binders" and announce they have been investigating the other teams in the B1G for rules violations, and here is what we have found....
It could be a 2 hour special report immediately following the game, with 1:59 focused on OSU.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
Agreed. Regardless of his personal animosity, if any, he remains a representative of the University and its football program and players. He'll set the example as the grown up in the room.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^
Jim will give a speech on how door hinges make a door swing smoothly but they're all part of one door. A result of all parts working in unison.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:52 AM ^
I would love to see JH give a huge (classic JH) smile up close to Petitti's face and hang onto the handshake extra long so that it becomes a wee bit uncomfortable.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:04 AM ^
Followed by a jaunty, manly slap to the back.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:30 AM ^
what's your deal, man
November 27th, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^
I think he needs to hold the handshake just long enough to make sure that Connor Stalions (or one of his associates) gets a good photo/video of the moment from the stands.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
Nope--graciousness would be the ultimate revenge. Jim standing there and accepting the trophy from Petite Titties is the middle finger, in and of itself.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
Fuck that. Grab the trophy and push the fucker off the stage.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:55 AM ^
...then have the O-line pile drive him into the turf!
November 27th, 2023 at 12:05 PM ^
Brooke's & Grendel,
I thought we've been applauding our coach as a leader of men?
I thought we applauded his ability to prepare his team to do a job, stay focused, and lead by example?
Now, you want him to act like a child who, that ONE time, proved his parents wrong?
Me thinks someone has something to learn here.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^
This is an online message board, not real life. And there is no universe, metaphorical or otherwise, where Tony Petitti is Jim Harbaugh's parent.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:47 PM ^
Why does Connor Cook have an MGoBlog account?
/s
November 27th, 2023 at 10:58 AM ^
“I never went down. You never got me down, Tony.”
November 27th, 2023 at 11:42 AM ^
Like when Archie Griffin presented the trophy and the acceptee brushed him off like who's this guy?
November 27th, 2023 at 10:45 AM ^
He should pull one of those deals where he makes intense eye contact, shakes his hand and keeps shaking it and won’t let go.
And just watch P shrivel.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
Oh, he'll shake his hand alright.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:50 AM ^
Harbaugh won't stoop to that level, A) because its not who he is, but B) accepting it graciously, looking him in the eye and thanking him for it is the ultimate eff you he could ever give Pettiti. It essentially tells Pettiti "You haven't beaten me. You tried to, but you failed. You still lost."
Somewhere in the recesses of Pettiti's mind, he is also hoping Harbaugh does something on that stage to further justify why he suspended him. He will be begging in his mind "Please Jim, please give me a reason to suspend you again."
Harbaugh won't do it.
Don't feel bad, though. The hordes of Michigan fans who will be in Indy this weekend will have zero hesitancy to let Pettiti know what they think of him. He will be booed the minute he walks out onto the field, he'll be booed even louder when he is announced and from the moment he opens his mouth, and he'll be booed until he steps off the field. He will have countless obscenities thrown his way, and while I don't condone physical behavior, it wouldn't shock me to see people try to throw trash at him from the stands.
I hope he walks away from that stage feeling like "I just alienated one of my two biggest cash cows, and for what? They still won, and I will never have credibility with these people, across any sport, ever again."
November 27th, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
Completely agree. Keep winning is the biggest FU. Harbaugh has now shown that there was no competitive advantage and UofM won the game despite the suspension. On top of that Moore's success as interim head coach has shown off Harbaugh's strong coaching tree and the depth of UofM's program built by Harbaugh. The attempt to take out Harbaugh has only made him look stronger.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:10 AM ^
I prefer the high road, like the drive by handshake this year. Harbaugh pretending that he doesn't even know there's a dispute is some pretty funny trolling.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:13 AM ^
Harbaugh has too much style and class to do that.
If Pettiti shows up (a big if) and not send an underling (Archie Griffin - for example, who will get booed but in a fun way). Suggestion: Harbaugh should not accept directly. He should have him put the trophy down, then take out some wipes, and wiped down the trophy before hoisting it up.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:10 PM ^
Pettiti can't afford not to show up.
Even if it was for a seemingly logical reason of "I don't want to be a distraction to the game", he would be branded a coward across every media outlet in every corner of the country. He'd lose several metric tons of respect and credibility, especially amongst the other commissioners, amongst the TV executives, and amongst the general public. Greg Sankey probably wouldn't even acknowledge his existence anymore.
He would look weak, and there would be plenty of coaches and higher ups even in the Big Ten who supported his decision that would probably look at him cock-eyed for the remainder of his tenure. And that's not even considering the reaction he'd receive from Michigan supporters, and he's already at a point with them where he'll never have their respect ever again.
If he's even remotely considering not attending the game, his PR team better be meeting with him today and advising him otherwise. Be a man, accept the repercussions of your actions and deal with the boos you'll get for 10-15 minutes. It'll suck, but the media cycle starts over quickly and by the next week, it won't be a story anymore. Michigan fans won't let you forget it, but everyone else will forget about it or not care.
You duck out of attending the championship? That is something that no one will forget. That is the kind of thing that defines your legacy and destroys your reputation, both as a commissioner and just flat out as a man. It makes you look like a chicken-s**t coward. And that will be what he's known as for the rest of his born days if he is not there on Saturday.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^
Perk,
He'll pull out the Covid card.
Hide and watch.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:49 PM ^
The only thing Tony not showing up changes is whether the fan chant is "Fuck you Tony" or "Where is Tony".
November 27th, 2023 at 11:21 AM ^
He should let Tony know that the trophy ceremony stage is for men only.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:38 AM ^
Ryan Day’s ears perked up because he thought you were talking about Just For Men.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
I'd rather see Harbaugh accept the trophy gracefully. Then on the spot release an announcement that Michigan has accepted an invitation to join the SEC.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:36 AM ^
Assuming Pettiti is on stage.
If Tony is not on stage the crowd needs to chant,”We want Tony” or “Where is Tony”
November 27th, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
I prefer the "Toooooo-neeeeee". That ones always a little more ominous to be chirped by
November 27th, 2023 at 11:46 AM ^
Jim should slip him a business card and say just in case you're looking for a good PI.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:24 PM ^
Tony, do you like apples?
November 27th, 2023 at 12:42 PM ^
I would love to hear a Fuck Pettiti chant echoing throughout the stadium during the trophy ceremony...
November 27th, 2023 at 9:41 PM ^
I would love to see Jim give Pettiti the Schwartz handshake.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:38 AM ^
but sign-stealing is another entirely, and one which evidently cannot be tolerated.
We're 6-7 weeks into this and still the media misrepresents this. The alleged infraction isn't over sign stealing, but scouting games in person.
Our problem was that Petitti himself seems to genuinely not understand this, either.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:41 AM ^
Sort of Advanced In-Person ScoutingGate just doesn't have that ring to it.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:56 AM ^
but it might make a good T-shirt.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:56 AM ^
Or he understands this but hasn't done anything to dispel the disinformation because that wouldn't serve him well. You'd think at the very least, the Big Ten commissioner would want some degree of integrity in a process among member schools.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:27 AM ^
I'm sure he understands this now but I think he legitimately did not when the NCAA first contacted him and his first reaction was OMG I have to call Michigan State.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:38 AM ^
In hindsight, that was mind-blowing that he did that. And yeah, a sign that he was in over his head.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
The ncaa doesn't care about "sign stealing" - it is not against their rules although in-person scouting is (albeit a minor infraction).
The Big Ten has this nebulous "sportsmanship" policy that they can use however they want - which belies the priorities of its leadership (sign-stealing being more urgent an issue than hazing, apparently).
Now we get to see the Big Ten hypocrisy that *Michigan's* sign-stealing was unsportsmanlike yet the osu-Rutgers-Purdue sign-stealing cartel was somehow... not?
November 27th, 2023 at 11:00 AM ^
And that's why losing the PR / media war is so damaging. "Sign-stealing" is firmly the narrative now. Michigan has essentially no chance to change said narrative now.
The really shitty (shittiest?) thing is that, with the anti-Michigan / pro-OSU slant to the media, we never had a chance.
We won it on the field, claimed the glory where it mattered......but for a long time we're going to hear "sign-stealing".
November 27th, 2023 at 11:11 AM ^
It makes no sense to me why Michigan friendly journalists haven't leaned into the fact that Tiny Tony made this about player safety and yet has done nothing to combat sign stealing and as far as I know, allowed Ohio State's sign stealers to attend the game on Saturday.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:31 AM ^
We won it on the field, claimed the glory where it mattered......but for a long time we're going to hear "sign-stealing".
I could be proven wrong, but I really think you're only going to hear about it from MSU and OSU. I think even ESPN (other than Finebaum and probably Stephen A) is done with it. Everyone else in the media I believe is over it in large part due to our winning The Game, which is why this game was so important.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:27 PM ^
The good news is that by beating OSU and PSU without Stalions, we've neutered the argument that his methods made a difference. If we had lost it would have been far, far worse.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:43 PM ^
FWIW, I love the snark on the "one which evidently cannot be tolerated" fragment.