Jim Harbaugh suspension affects no Michigan futures with cupcake non-conference schedule
A few weeks ago, it was reported that the NCAA and Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh were close to an agreement that Harbaugh would be suspended the first four games of this year due to alleged violations committed during the COVID-19 dead period. That deal blew up, but today Michigan self-imposed a three-game suspension for Harbaugh. And in the grand scheme of things, it means nothing from a betting perspective.
The two-time reigning Big Ten champion Wolverines are loaded again and their non-conference schedule, naturally all games in the Big House, is arguably the weakest of any Power 5 school. Michigan is -35.5 at home for the opener vs. East Carolina on Sept. 2; might be a bigger favorite on Sept. 9 vs. UNLV; and could to -50 on Sept. 16 vs. Bowling Green before opening Big Ten action on Sept. 23 vs. Rutgers.
Harbaugh won’t be needed. The value of coaches in college football via the sportsbooks if missing a given game depends on the situation. It can be nothing, which is the case here. Harbaugh's teams are 103-46 SU dating to his Stanford days and 80-66-3 ATS.
College football schedules are made years ahead of time, but Michigan officials should be ashamed of that lineup. Better to get the Harbaugh circus out of the way early, though. He will be allowed to coach during the week but will be barred from coaching the actual games. The NCAA can still add to this penalty down the road but nothing would happen until next year and only if it finds three games to not be enough.
Speaking at Big Ten Media Days, Harbaugh said he had “nothing to be ashamed of” but that he was unable to comment further due to the nature of the “ongoing situation.”
The Associated Press preseason All-American team was unveiled today and #GoBlue had two players on it: Running back Blake Corum and guard Zak Zinter. Quarterback JJ McCarthy didn’t make any All-American teams but has been a VERY popular Heisman Trophy bet. The Big Ten led all conferences with 12 players on the All-American first team, and the Southeastern Conference was next with seven.
Michigan is set at over-under 10.5 wins and essentially dead even with Ohio State for the Big Ten title. This is the last year of the divisions in the league, which is fabulous news because the East has so utterly dominated the West.
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