Herbstreit said UM might "wave the white flag" to keep Ohio State out of the Big Ten championship gameESPN IMAGES
Univ. of Michigan AD Warde Manuel said that after hearing controversial comments made by ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit against his school, he was "embarrassed for the Big Ten," according to Aaron McMann of MLIVE.com. Herbstreit said UM might "wave the white flag" to keep Ohio State out of the Big Ten championship game. Manuel said Herbsteit's comments were "ridiculous." Herbstreit suggested that he has "'heard from other coaches across the country,' that the Wolverines -- in the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak -- might choose not to play these next two weeks to keep the Buckeyes out of the league title game." He later apologized for his comments, saying he had "no evidence" and "no business at all saying that." UM has canceled its game Saturday against Maryland due to COVID-19 issues, while the Dec. 12 game at Ohio State "could be in jeopardy." Manuel said that they "'hope to play' the game, but offered no guarantee." Manuel: "And to insinuate that, to say something other than that, is a statement by a fool. I can't tell you how embarrassed I am for the Big Ten Conference, to have one of their representatives who played this game, to say that about any team in this conference -- to say it about college football and the student-athletes around this country, who are trying to play games during a pandemic -- is ridiculous and sad" (MLIVE.com, 12/2).
HARSH WORDS: In Detroit, Bob Wojnowski writes Herbstreit "basically accused Michigan -- and by extension, Jim Harbaugh -- of cowardice." It was "such a nasty charge" that Herbstreit later profusely apologized to UM and Harbaugh, "which was commendable." No matter where UM's COVID-19 numbers stand next week, the "water is poisoned and some would call a cancellation suspicious." If it happens, OSU "wouldn't reach the six-game threshold to quality for the Big Ten title because they already had two games canceled" (DETROIT NEWS, 12/3).
FOLLOWING GUIDELINES: UM Senior Associate AD and Chief Health & Welfare Officer Darryl Conway said, "The important thing to remember here is that this is medical information, as a healthcare professional, I'm bound by my state license. If I were to lie or if I were to be non-transparent and not tell the truth to what has been asked of me every single day, then I can lose my license, and I'm not going to lose my license over a football game or over gamesmanship over another school" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/3). In Detroit, Angelique Chengelis notes UM's matchup against Maryland is the first game the school has missed. Manuel said that the decision was made "after consulting with team physicians." He added that they are "waiting on 'over 100 tests' to be analyzed by the medical staff." Manuel: "It is disheartening that we are not going to be able to play Maryland and our hope is that we can play Ohio State and finish the season in the final week." The earliest UM can return to practice is Monday. The Wolverines "paused in-person football activities Monday and have not resumed because of COVID-19 issues" (DETROIT NEWS, 12/3).
