Jim Harbaugh dubs Michigan ‘America’s team’ after defeating Penn State amid sign-stealing suspension

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Michigan’s football program suffered a significant blow when, on the eve of their first game against a ranked opponent this season, head coach Jim Harbaugh was issued a three-game suspension amid allegations of sign-stealing. 

But the Wolverines responded on Saturday, defeating Penn State 24-15 to improve to 10-0 on the season. 

Michigan acting head coach and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore coaches on the side line during the Michigan Wolverines versus Penn State Nittany Lions game on November 11, 2023 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA.  (Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It's that grit, Harbaugh believes, that makes the Wolverines "America’s team." 

MICHIGAN REMAINS NO. 2 IN AP POLL, LOSES TWO FIRST-PLACE VOTES AS TEAM DEALS WITH SIGN-STEALING SCANDAL

"Watching it from where I was watching it, I was like, ‘How can you not see this?’" Harbaugh said during a press conference on Monday. 

"The emotion of the team, the perseverance, and then just the stalwartness of these guys."

The Big Ten Conference announced Friday that the veteran head coach would be sidelined for the final three games of the season amid investigations into an in-person-scouting and sign-stealing operation, the latter of which centers around former low-level staffer Connor Stalions. 

Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on in the first half while playing the Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Stadium on November 04, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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The probes come as Michigan chases a third straight conference championship and the school's