Michigan football is fighting back against the NCAA even as questions linger

The NCAA finally levied its punishments against the Michigan football program on Friday, and even though the Wolverines avoided the "hammer," they aren't done fighting with the NCAA yet.

Soon after the punishments were announced by the NCAA and a 74-page report was released on the Connor Stalions investigation, the University of Michigan announced it would appeal, releasing the following statement:

"We appreciate the work of the Committee on Infractions. But, respectfully, in a number of instances the decision makes fundamental errors in interpreting NCAA bylaws; and it includes a number of conclusions that are directly contrary to the evidence – or lack of evidence – in the record. We will appeal this decision to ensure a fair result, and we will consider all other options."

Michigan football won't give up fight with NCAA

That language is interesting. There was talk that if there was anything beyond a two-game suspension for Sherrone Moore, Michigan would appeal. The school probably also isn't happy about paying a fine of $20 million compared to the $8 million Tennessee was fined, even though the Vols committed over 100 violations. 18 of those were Level-1 allegations. Michigan football had six.

An appeal and even a potential lawsuit could open the door for new evidence. One of the NCAA's witnesses lied and the organization admitted it through the admission of any punishment for former Michigan football assistant Chris Partridge.

It was reported that he "pressured" Student-Athlete-1 (via the NCAA report) into lying to the NCAA. Due to the fact that Partridge wasn't punished, he didn't do that. Chris Balas of The Wolverine reported that Partridge refuted these claims with his own evidence.

If this person lied about Partridge, what else did he lie about? We know the reporting about Stalions scheme being funded by "Uncle T" was also false.

Beyond that, the NCAA never disclosed the third-party source for some of the information it used in its investigation. It says it's protecting whistleblowers, but that's not a whistleblower.

That third-party firm didn't get the information from Stalions voluntarily. So what methods were used and was there a connection to Ohio State? If there isn't why not make it public?

Things can't get worse on an appeal for Michigan. But the suspension for Moore could be reduced, which is ridiculous anyway, since the text messages he deleted were still turned over by Moore.

So this isn't the end of the story. Not by a long shot.