It was the last Saturday in November of 2024 in Columbus Ohio, the 6th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes were upset by their rival the unranked Michigan Wolverines 13-10. It was the Buckeyes second loss of 2024 and a gut punch for Ohio State fans. After the game Ohio State linebacker Jack Sawyer and other Ohio State players prevented Michigan players from planting the Michigan flag midfield at Ohio State Stadium. The over 100-year rivalry between the two teams is more heated than ever after that game. This was while Michigan was being investigated by the NCAA.

Michigan was under investigation for six level one NCAA violations and eleven total violations trending back to 2021. The hearing was held in Indianapolis Indiana on June 6th and 7th. At the hearing all evidence was presented from recruiting violations to sign stealing and cheating. The hearing was described as putting the hay in the barn. Now college football fans are waiting for the NCAA decision on punishment for Michigan. Michigan fans think there is nothing to this and no punishment will come to the Wolverines. However, there is recent precedence on punishment and a hearing wouldn’t be held to do nothing.

On June 12th the NCAA suspended former Wisconsin defensive line coach Greg Scruggs one year with show cause for making impermissible recruiting calls. Also, Wisconsin was fined $25000. This punishment was for level three violations and Wisconsin fully cooperated with the NCAA investigation. Michigan has yet to cooperate with the NCAA and they refused to settle on a punishment. The punishment is expected for Michigan in 90 days from the hearing.

NCAA president Charles Rogers was quoted as saying that the “NCAA decision is expected within 45-90 days”. And based on prior decisions Michigan can expect a two-year post-season ban, vacating of wins, a hefty fine in the millions of dollars, loss of scholarships, and potentially vacating the 2023 National Championship. In 2008 the NCAA had USC vacate their National Championships, so it has been done before.

The punishment is expected to decimate Michigan’s football program. In the days of the NIL and transfer portal, recruitment is not as important than in previous years. But with a bowl ban and lack of scholarships, quality players will not come to Michigan to play football. The loss to Michigan will help Ohio State in the rivalry. It will also help for Ohio State to be able to plant their flag. And the flag can be planted at Ann Arbor Michigan on November 29th.