Barring a judge ruling otherwise, Michigan will play Penn State today without its head coach, Jim Harbaugh.
The Big Ten announced Friday that it had suspended Harbaugh for Michigan’s last three regular-season games, starting Saturday in Happy Valley.
But Michigan’s fighting it, to no surprise.
The school has requested a temporary restraining order which, if granted, could allow Harbaugh to coach at Beaver Stadium. But with only hours remaining until kickoff, which is scheduled for noon on Fox, there’s still no word on whether or not it will pass. Nittany Sports Now was there to film Michigan’s arrival into Beaver Stadium, and there was no sign of Harbaugh.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that, per Harbaugh’s attorney, Tom Mears, a ruling “should be soon.”
“So the possibility remains,” Thamel posted to X, “that if the TRO is granted that Harbaugh could still coach today.”
Latest on Jim Harbaugh's request for a temporary restraining order, which he needs to coach at Penn State today. Harbaugh attorney Tom Mars tells ESPN that a ruling "should be soon." So the possibility remains if the TRO is granted that Harbaugh could still coach today.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 11, 2023
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.ESPN also reported that Harbaugh is near Beaver Stadium and ready to roll should he be allowed to coach.
This, of course, is all related to Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing, which its currently under investigation for. The alleged ringleader of the operation, Connor Stailons, resigned last week.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported that, should Harbaugh not be allowed to coach, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore will be running the show. Moore has been an assistant at Michigan since 2018 and is in his first season as OC.
Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore will serve as Michigan’s acting head coach today if Jim Harbaugh’s motion for a temporary restraining order is not granted before kickoff. pic.twitter.com/wxqvc33Of5
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 11, 2023
With or without Jim Harbaugh, this is a huge game for both teams. Michigan’s undefeated and ranked No. 3. Penn State’s 8-1 and ranked No. 10. Penn State needs to win to have any chance at winning the Big Ten and making the College Football Playoff. Michigan would greatly help its chances, too, with a win.
