@SuperMario I'm addressing this to you because I don't think Mdot and Temp are even remotely capable of rational discussion but this is something that I think is BAD news for Michigan:
When you think about the previous scandals that we've seen involving NCAA rules they are one of two things, either:
- Minor (cheeseburgers) stuff, or
- Major pay-to-play things but with the caveat that in these the actual violation was NOT committed by the University or anyone directly employed by the University.
WRT #1 I didn't mean the "(cheeseburgers)" reference to demean Michigan. We've seen lots of these types of minor practice time or dead period recruiting or whatever violations.
WRT to pay-to-play things I think we (collectively) tend to misspeak. Three examples that have come up repeatedly in this thread:
- Tattoos,
- Auburn/Cam Newton
- Michigan Basketball / Ed Martin
We (collectively) typically say that Ohio State/Auburn/Michigan committed some violation. In reality, as far as I know, that is incorrect in all three cases, at least technically:
Ohio State didn't trade bowl swag for tattoos, some local tattoo parlor owner did that. Ie, the violation was committed by a kid(s) and a tattoo parlor guy.
Auburn didn't pay Cam Newton to play for them. Some boosters made a massive contribution to Cam Newton's father's church for Cam Newton to play for Auburn. Ie, the violation was committed by a kid (or arguably his father) and some private individuals.
Michigan didn't cut checks to BB players. Ed Marton did. Ie, the violation was committed by a kid(s) and a private individual.
Where I see this as a completely different situation and much more problematic for the University is that in this case the violation wasn't committed by a booster or a tattoo parlor guy. The actual violation was committed by an employee of the University of Michigan.
There is apparently sufficient evidence that neither the NCAA nor the B1G have any doubt that Connor Stallions, while employed by the University committed a violation. Further, this isn't a "cheeseburger" violation involving an accidental timing issue or a $20 meal. This was a premeditated and well organized violation of a clear NCAA rule.
I still think it is at best questionable whether or not Michigan will be post-season eligible THIS year. Frankly, I think the NCAA/B1G were hoping that Penn State would take them out so that they wouldn't have to. As we approach the end of the season there are going to be people in Seattle, Eugene, Tuscaloosa, etc who are going to pressure the NCAA to knock Michigan out of the CFP. There are only four ways left to do that:
- Maryland takes them out, or
- Ohio State takes them out, or
- The B1G-W Champion (probably Iowa) takes them out, or
- The NCAA or B1G takes them out.
It is not inconceivable that other leagues and or schools could end up suing the NCAA to demand that they enforce their own rules.
Honestly answer this:
If the situation were reversed and say Washington had been cheating*, how would you feel if Washington got one of the four CFP spots and Michigan ended up at #5?
*Cheating:
You may find that characterization offensive but at this point the NCAA/B1G appear to have spoken. Connor Stallions violated NCAA rules to the benefit of the University of Michigan Football Team in games played THIS year. That cannot realistically be construed as anything other than cheating.