Even though it seems like the NCAA investigation into alleged advanced scouting by Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions has been going on forever, the end is near.
We learned of the investigation early in the 2023 season. Stalions resigned his position, yet Michigan football still went undefeated, defeating Penn State, Ohio State, Iowa in the Big Ten title game, Alabama, and Washington in a six-game stretch to win the national championship -- all after the allegations against Stalions were made public.
Recently, a report leaked that Michigan football was going to self-impose a two-game suspension on head coach Sherrone Moore for deleting text messages with Stalions, even though those text messages were still recovered by Moore and turned over to the NCAA.
What to expect from Michigan hearing on Friday
The hearing with the NCAA Committee on Infractions will take place Friday and Saturday in Indianapolis. Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated reports what the process will be like. Expect plenty of lawyers on both sides.
Forde details a process that usually doesn't get contentious. However, after Michigan accused the NCAA over "gross overreach" in its response to the notice of allegations, it's hard to know what to expect.
There was hope that the self-imposed penalty relating to Moore would be a negotiated settlement/resolution leading up to this hearing, but that hasn't happened, and according to Chris Balas of The Wolverine, Michigan still wants information on the accusers.
There has been plenty of rumors about a third-party firm with connections to Ohio State, as well as others with an axe to grind against Michigan. If all the information is accurate, there shouldn't be an issue saying where the NCAA got it, right?
Regardless of all that, the only thing that matters is the punishment. Ohio State fans are drooling at the idea of the NCAA vacating Michigan's last four wins over Ohio State -- yes, there are Ohio State fans who actually believe this is possible -- as well as the national championship.
Many Ohio State fans have been cheering "the hammer" coming down on Michigan, in the form of wins being vacated or a postseason ban. But since all of Michigan's alleged level-1 violations have to do with not cooperating how the NCAA would iike, that seems highly unlikely.
If the NCAA tries for any punishment beyond the two games for Moore and a fine, Michigan has threatened legal action and should follow through with that.
Either way, the "hammer" isn't dropping and even if it does, it won't be dropping over the next two days. The COI will make its decision and Michigan wil have a chance to appeal or litigate.
Buckle up.