EDITORIAL: On Friday, the much-anticipated “punishments” were handed down from the NCAA to the Michigan Wolverines. In response to years of cheating, the brazen “we did nothing wrong” mentality, and “multiple and repeated failures to cooperate are some of the worst the COI has ever seen,” Ohio State’s chief rival has been let off the hook. No hammer, as some blogs with no credibility would have you believe. No bowl bans. Not even a scholarship reduction.
Instead, the Wolverines were fined a few dollars. Jim Harbaugh and Connor Stalions were handed 10 and eight-year “show causes,” respectively. Current head coach Sherrone Moore will be suspended for Michigan’s Week 1 game against Central Michigan…in 2026.
NCAA penalties against Michigan football issued today:
4 years probation
$50k fine + 10% of FB team’s one yr budget
25% reduction in official recruiting visits
No recruiting communications for 14 weeks
Fine equal to two postseason payouts—
LastWordOnCFB
The NCAA found that what Michigan did absolutely warranted a multi-year bowl ban. Ultimately, it elected not to punish current and future players for the sins of former players and coaches. To those who paid attention to the NCAA over the years, this is a first. For example, it took Penn State years to rebuild from the penalties stemming from the Joe Paterno/Jerry Sandusky scandal.
Michigan gets to walk away scott-free like O.J. Simpson. Its fans are vindicated, and Ohio State, Michigan State, and college football fans write large seethe. The NCAA neutered itself, so now, Ohio State should fight for itself. The school itself is bowing to pressures from the country’s executive branch and banning the use of chalk on sidewalks (no, seriously, this is real). However, the university needs to legitimately fight to restore its reputation.
It’s Time For Ohio State To Fight For Itself
The NCAA has shown an inability to police its member organizations. So now, past decisions have come under scrutiny. This year, for example, Akron is ineligible for postseason play due to the academic performances of past teams. The NCAA vacated all of Notre Dame’s 2012 and 2013 wins due to academic issues. Naturally, the microscope turns to the infamous “Tattoo-gate” saga at Ohio State.
If you need a refresher, in 2010, five Ohio State players – Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Solomon Thomas, and Mike Adams – sold personal property for money and/or tattoos. Naturally, since these infractions were perceived to be on par with some of the world’s most heinous crimes, the NCAA did not hold back. The Buckeyes had to vacate every win from 2010. The five players were suspended for the first five games of 2011 (a punishment that followed Pryor to the NFL after he left for the Supplemental Draft). Jim Tressel was suspended five games but ultimately resigned, and he was hit with his own five-year show-cause. In addition, the Buckeyes were ineligible for postseason play in 2012, and they lost five scholarships over the next three seasons.
Harkening back to the “not punishing current players for past sins” thing, none of the five aforementioned players nor coaches were on the team in 2012 when the program served the bowl ban. They say comparison is the thief of joy, but Ohio State fans have no joy left to lose when comparing the two cases.
As a result, Ohio State needs to do two things: demand that the 2010 wins and statistics be reinstated, and claim a share of the 2012 national title.
Reclaim Glory
While the 2010 season was not one of Tressel’s greatest, it was one worth remembering. The Buckeyes finished 12-1, beat Michigan 37-7, won a share of the Big Ten title, and dispatched Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. Officially, the Buckeyes were 0-1 with a loss to Wisconsin. Led by 10 all-Big Ten selections, Ohio State was a formidable team and had BCS National Championship aspirations despite an 18-point loss at the hands of the Badgers.
As it stands, with the wins vacated, Ohio State leads the country in all-time win percentage (0.735) and is second behind Michigan with 978. Reinstating the wins would further increase its lead in win percentage to 0.738 and would cut into Michigan’s lead with 990 wins.
The fact of the matter is that Ohio State had to vacate wins because five players sold personal property. Meanwhile, its rival was found to have quite possibly the most widespread and egregious cheating conspiracy in the history of the game, and it gets nothing.
Additionally, that 2012 season should be remembered. Alabama won the BCS National Championship over Notre Dame, 42-14. If not barred, Ohio State, the only undefeated Power 5/BCS AQ team, would have faced Notre Dame. Would Ohio State have won? It’s possible. However, the fact remains that the Buckeyes were the lone undefeated team in college football in 2012.
Claim it. There are plenty of claimed titles out there with less of a legitimate claim. With the NCAA showing it has no power over perceived bluebloods, why not?
Main Image: The Columbus Dispatch photo by Neal C. Lauron)
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