Regardless of how the NCAA’s action plays out in terms of punishment, let’s not lose sight of the fact that there was already a devastating, independent finding of egregious cheating by Michigan—a finding that Michigan failed to overturn in a court challenge notwithstanding its initial claims that it would not let such a determination stand.

In November 2023 in his Notice of Disciplinary Action, the B1G Commissioner stated, in part: “I have concluded that the University engaged in the impermissible scheme resulting in unfair games on unequal terms and compromised player safety. Nothing offends the integrity of competition more than attempting to gain an unfair advantage through impermissible means.”

This will forever be part of the legacy of Michigan football.