Five Non-Sensical Statements Regarding the Michigan Notice of Allegations -

It’s been a week since the draft of the Notice of Allegations was released, and there have been a lot of hot takes as the sports world processes it. While there has been some really good dialogue and discourse, including between Ohio State and Michigan fans and writers, the reality is there is a lot of poor logic and bad assumptions. So here I am, trying to clarify facts, and help you consider some of the non-sensical statements that you need to avoid.

1. “Everybody Cheats”

One of my viewers recently posted this on my channel, and it’s been a sentiment that many have shared. Why is everyone railing on Michigan when, in this day and age, everybody is guilty. The problem with this logic is it looks at what other programs could be doing, rather than looking at what a program was caught doing. Furthermore, if we take that argument to its logical conclusion, you are basically arguing that all programs cheat, so why should we punish anything at all. Let’s just get rid of all the rules.

My guess is no one would actually argue that. But that is the logical end of that statement, which makes it problematic in regards to this case.

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2. “There’s No Evidence”

Again, one of my viewers stated there is no evidence. According to the draft of the NOA obtained by Pete Thamel and Dan Murphy, the NCAA has verifiable proof that Connor Stallions sent someone to illegally advance scout 58 games. They have determined that Stallions himself was on the sidelines dressed in CMU gear to advance scout MSU. That is evidence. It’s a lot of evidence.

Now, I’ll give credit to the idea that there is little evidence that Harbaugh or others knew about it. But that doesn’t necessarily matter. The NCAA believes that as the head coach, if there are violations that occur under your watch, you are to be held responsible.

3. “Sign Stealing Didn’t give them an edge.”

We honestly have no idea how much this operation actually helped Michigan. Did it help them at all? If not, why should they be punished?

Answer: Because it doesn’t matter if you violated rules effectively, it matters that you violated rules.

Imagine you plagiarize a very poorly written paper. Will you get a pass because your plagiarism was bad? Not at all. The same consequences are in place, regardless of how effectively or ineffectively you broke the rules.

The same is true here. It matters more that rules were violated, than how much the violating of those rules helped them.

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4. “Ohio State Fans are hoping the NCAA will do what Ryan Day couldn’t”

In an article written by Chris Breiler of Sports Illustrated, he suggests that Ohio State fans are latching onto the hope that the NCAA hammers Michigan because Ryan Day can’t. This seems to be the sentiment among many in the Wolverine community.

The reality couldn’t be further from the truth. We can’t unsee the past three losses. Vacating wins, and the national championship, wouldn’t do much, because we all saw it. Not only that, but Ohio State fans are much more focused on 2024. While Buckeye fans would be happy to see the program answer for what they have done, there’s no redemption arc here for Ohio State fans, or for Ryan Day. The fact remains that whether there are several penalties, or none, Ryan Day’s most important task is to win a football contest on November 30, 2024 at 12 PM.

5. “This is a Witch Hunt”

Victim mentality blinds us from seeing when we bring misfortune upon ourselves, and this situation highlights it. Between recruiting violations during the Covid dead period and not cooperating with the NCAA, to Coach Harbaugh getting hit with a four year show-cause and then Michigan inviting him back to be an honorary captain the very same week, Michigan has done an awful job at making themselves seem likable. They have acted in an arrogant fashion, from former head coach on up to the University President. It may feel like a witch hunt, but they’ve done nothing to garner sympathy, rather they’ve laughed every step of the way.

Now, I’ll admit, some of that laughter is warranted, due to the general incompetence of the organization that is trying to hold them accountable. However, to call this a witch hunt is to imply that Michigan has done nothing to warrant investigation. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact is, a lack of cooperation leads to more investigation. That’s their fault, not anyone else’s.