Paul Finebaum critical of Sherrone Moore for bringing attention to Jim Harbaugh, not players

Paul Finebaum didn’t love Sherrone Moore’s post-game interview following Michigan’s win over Penn State in Week 11.

Moore guided the Wolverines to a win at Beaver Stadium while Jim Harbaugh served game one of his three-game sign-stealing suspension, which was handed down by the Big Ten last week. A teary-eyed Moore exclaimed the victory was for the embattled coach, but Finebaum wasn’t having any of it.

Evidently, Finebaum believes Michigan’s attitude is that of a team that feels no guilt, and believes they’ve been made martyrs by both the Big Ten and the NCAA.

“You can’t,” Finebaum responded, regarding Michigan trying to play the victim while being labeled as a villain. “I thought what the coach said after the game, he missed the moment. He could’ve made this about the players. Instead, he made it about Harbaugh.

“Harbaugh was sitting at a Holiday Inn Express a couple of blocks away, eating popcorn and downing soft drinks, watching a football game. Just like the rest of America. Other than, we were probably drinking a little more hardcore stuff. That just doesn’t work.”

According to Finebaum, Michigan cannot play the victim card, as he believes they’re utterly guilty and deserved their punishment. While the Wolverines may not believe they did anything wrong, there certainly was fire where there was smoke.

“The victim card is about someone who is accused of something falsely,” Finebaum continued. “I know that in this case, maybe Michigan doesn’t believe it did anything wrong, and just because the rest of the Big Ten thinks they did doesn’t make it right, but let’s not forget what this is all about.

“This is about malfeasance. This is about breaking the rules. The Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti at least stood up and said, ‘As we see it, they were wrong,’ and did probably the most they could do. But probably the least anybody thinks is a serious penalty, and keep Jim Harbaugh away. Remember, Michigan has played ten games, Jim Harbaugh has missed four due to suspensions. What does that say about this individual?”

Alas, Paul Finebaum has never been Jim Harbaugh’s biggest fan, even if he’s been walking it back a bit over the last couple of years. The sign-stealing scandal certainly re-opened some old wounds.

It’ll be fascinating to see the tune Finebaum and the media sing in the coming weeks on Michigan. Regardless, the Wolverines are in their own little world, finding motivation at every corner.