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Big Ten Roundup (Aug. 13): Iowa QB Injured at Practice, Harbaugh No Longer Suspended

Cade McNamara, currently the starting quarterback for coach Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes, and formerly the quarterback for coach Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines, suffered an injury at fall camp practice on Saturday. Harbaugh himself had news as well, as his agreed upon deal with the NCAA for him to be suspended for the first four games of the 2023 season has fallen through.

From Cade McNamara to Jim Harbaugh, a whole lot happened in the Big Ten for just a random Saturday in August. 

McNamara, currently the quarterback for coach Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes, suffered a non-contact, soft tissue injury at the team's fall camp practice. McNamara is the projected starter for the Hawkeyes after he transferred from Michigan to Iowa this offseason.

Speaking of Michigan, it turns out that the Wolverines actually will have Harbaugh on the sideline for the first four games of the 2023 season. After originally striking a deal with the NCAA that would suspend the head coach for the first third of Michigan's season, Harbaugh is now expected to coach in all 12 games, as first reported by Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel.

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup:

Cade McNamara Injured

The line on Iowa football has been the same for a solid decade now, if not longer.

If only the Hawkeyes can get even just an average offense, then they'll really be cooking with gas. Year in and year out, Ferentz and Iowa produce some of the best defenses not just in the Big Ten, but in the entire country. 

Bringing in McNamara — a proven winner at the Big Ten level — had many in Iowa City excited for what the Hawkeyes could do in 2023. 

All of that hope didn't come crashing down on Saturday, but it did hit a significant speed bump when McNamara fell to the ground without contact, and immediately limped off the field with an apparent injury.

Later, Ferentz told media that McNamara suffered a "soft tissue" injury, and that it was not a structural or major leg injury. Though it's obviously something to keep an eye on, the long time Iowa head coach indicated that the worst possible outcome was avoided on the scary play for his starting quarterback. 

McNamara has a mere 20 days to recover from his injury, as Iowa begins its 2023 season on Sept. 2, when the Hawkeyes welcome the Mountain West's Utah State to town. 

Jim Harbaugh No Longer Suspended

All of some of us ask for is one normal offseason from Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines. Will never happen. 

After previously coming to an agreement with the governing body that he would be suspended for the first four games of the 2023 season for recruiting infractions and subsequently lying to NCAA investigators, Harbaugh's case will now go the NCAA's Committee on Infractions. Harbaugh is now expected to coach all 12 games for Michigan this season.

For more on the renounced suspension of Harbaugh, check out the full story on our sister site Wolverine Digest. 

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