The NCAA’s failed attempt to punish Michigan has turned its two biggest rivalries into must-see TV. Michigan-Ohio State and Michigan- Michigan State have been some of the most heated games in college football. But after the Michigan football program averted disaster last week, missing out on any substantial punishment from the Conor Stalions sign-stealing investigation, the NCAA inadvertently turned the heat up even higher on the rivalry.
After the NCAA announced Michigan’s punishment, or lack thereof, rival fans and media members flocked to social media to verbalize their outrage. While $30 million is a hard hit to the Michigan program, as one of the few schools’ athletic departments that end up in the black, it’s certainly not a death blow that people wanted.
Since the news broke of the sign-stealing investigation back in October 2023, fans have been waiting for the hammer to drop on Michigan. Instead, it wasn’t even a slap on the wrist, despite the NCAA claiming to have overwhelming evidence that warranted a multi-year postseason ban.
Has the lack of punishment, however, led to unforeseen positives for college football? By doing nothing, the Michigan-Ohio State and Michigan State matchups will be bubbling with emotion.
The Game
“The Game,” Michigan-Ohio State, is the greatest rivalry in all sports. There is no love lost in the 119 times these two schools have played against each other. And after the lack of punishment, No. 3 Ohio State will be looking to inflict its own punishment this season. This rivalry divides family and friends, and simply brings out the worst in some people. And that was before one team received what they believe is the short end of the stick.
The Buckeyes lost out on a national championship because of players getting free tattoos, while Michigan cheated for two and a half years and hoisted the trophy. To Ohio State fans its incomprehensible that no postseason ban was handed down, especially considering there was enough evidence, according to the NCAA report, to hand out a multi-year ban. Even members of the Ohio State media couldn’t understand after an Ohio State writer attempted to turn the NCAA press conference into a town hall to vent and project his feelings, according to a tweet from Anthony Broome.
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It’s a rivalry based on hate, just ask Jermiah Smith who recently expressed his feelings about the Wolverines saying, “with everything in me I hate them,” and that hate has reached a new level.
Social media just added to the hate by giving fans a platform to speak their mind, increasing the tension to an already volatile rivalry. All eyes will be on the Nov. 29 matchup to see if Ohio State can do what the NCAA couldn’t—make Michigan pay for its sins. If they don’t and can’t pull off another national championship run, people could pay with their jobs.
The Backyard Brawl
Michigan against Michigan State has grown into one of the most toxic rivalries in all of sports. It’s at the point people are questioning if the game should be played yearly. And now, after the NCAA’s failure to hit Michigan with any kind of meaningful punishment, this in-state matchup is head to a new level of toxicity.
Michigan State was the first team Michigan played after the news broke about the investigation, and could have chosen not to play the game. Instead, they played and lost 49-0 at home. A decision that would have been different if the picture of Stallions standing on the Central Michigan sideline in Spartan Stadium had come out earlier. Even after the NCAA said Michigan had nothing to do with Stalions being on their sideline, Spartan fans refused to believe it.
The almighty Michigan program was supposed to get everything coming to it. Instead, they got nothing. Michigan got away with it. The disdain State feels for Michigan is understandable, considering that for years, Michigan looked down on MSU as a “little brother,” but they were just frauds.
The arrogance Michigan then showed to appeal after the NCAA handed out a nothing burger did not sit well in East Lansing or amongst fans. Michigan State, like Ohio State, wanted Michigan to suffer, but instead, they celebrated. Michigan State now will look to end the celebration itself on Oct. 25 when the Wolverines come to East Lansing.
The hard truth is that the Michigan penalties should have been much harsher for what transpired. The reality is, everyone knew, except for those two fanbases, that the NCAA was never going to throw a harsh penalty at the Wolverines. The NCAA has now left it up to Ohio State and Michigan state to find away to punish the Wolverines on the field in an attempt to make up for the lack punishment off the field.
