Michigan Tuesday: A Injury and Announcement

I hate camp injuries.  They are going to happen because you have to go live to get ready for the season.  I still hate them.   I somehow can rationalize injuries in a game but in camp, is just a gut punch. 

Andrew Babalola is a 5-star true freshman OT that was making waves in camp.  There was a ton of buzz he could start or be the 1st back-up.   Being a true freshman and being ready to play at this level is a pretty rare thing and Andrew might have been one of those rare birds. 

Reports are now that Andrew has a knee injury and is out for the season.  We don't have anymore details, but some insiders are speculating it does not seem to be terribly serious.   We will see and lets hope the big man is fully ready and healed for next season. 

Next is a fingers crossed moment.  5-star RB Savion Hiter is expected to announce this morning and Michigan is one of his strong finalist.  Many believe its a Michigan vs. Tennessee battle for the talented RB.  This is a close one and many insiders don't even have a prediction.  

I will post his decision as soon as it hits.

Update:  Enough said! 

• Happy Birthday Bryce!  He is 18 today. 

Michigan Monday: Time To Move On

Michigan is going to appeal, as they should.  The fine was excessive but manageable, the suspension of Sherrone for another game next season is also over the top.  If they got that game back and maybe save a few million, it would be worth it.   

I'm a die hard Michigan fan and I still don't get what the big deal is here.   The SEC was illegally paying players for decades and nobody cared.  Michigan had a rogue staff member run a sign stealing program.  Michigan didn't pay for any of the tickets or travel in his network.  He funded it directly.  He should be fired and given a show clause, which he was.  Case closed. 

If a fan does the same thing and sends iPhone video of the Penn State coaches to Ohio State.  Not a crime.  The rule that was broken here was that Connor Stalions worked for Michigan in a low level position. 

1. Sign Stealing is not illegal

2. Having staff attend other games is.  

What a level headed person would think:

1. Why wouldn't other teams change their signs every game?

2. The NCAA was way late on wireless helmet communication 

3. Do you think Michigan is the only program doing this?  - I would guess every major program had some type of sign stealing protocol. 

The NCAA runs Jim out of town because he bought a kid a Cheeseburger and forgot about it and had a rogue staffter run a sign stealing program without his knowledge.  He is given a 14 year Show Cause penalty, which means absolutely nothing. 

I wonder which will last longer: The NCAA or Jim's Show Clause?

Funny how the NCAA moved to wireless helmet communication, right after this over blown scandal. 

Player safety, post season bans, removing championships or wins are just rival fan bases crying over sour milk.  The NCAA is a lame duck organization and this penalty is a joke.  Time to move on to the season and play real football.    

Michigan Friday: Back Early To Review the NCAA Hammer

The NCAA today levied a punishment against the Michigan program for stealing signs from other programs.  Every rival fan base has been waiting for this deal for 2 years and I'm guessing they're disappointed that the expected hammer is more of a paper cut. 

Let's review the penalty as we know it:

• Loss of post season revenue: which is estimated at $20+ Million for two years.   That is probably an hours worth of work fund raising to the alumni and supporters that can bankroll that.  

• +1 game suspension for Sherrone, which will happen in 2026.  He is already taking a two game suspension this year.  Not sure I understand this one, with all the Harbaugh game suspensions, this one seems a bit over the top.  But your just suspending a guy for 4 hours on a Saturday.  Which really isn't a big deal.

• 10 Year Show Penalty for Harbaugh - He doesn't work in college football any longer.   Not a penalty. 

• 8 Year show for Conner - He will be fine working in other areas of football. 

• 3 year for Denard - This is tough for him and I hope he finds other work.  I would love to see him get a job in the NFL. 

• Chris Partridge did not get a show clause and probably should not have been fired from Michigan. An over reaction from Warde.

• 25% reduction in official visits 

• 14-week prohibition on recruiting communication 

• 4 years probation

This is more of Jimmy, Sherrone, and Denard not helping the NCAA make their case against Michigan then the sign stealing penalty.  The NCAA has zero power to get people to talk and when they don't cooperate, the NCAA restricts the way they can make a living with show clauses.   What a great organization. 

This is all very manageable and not that big of a penalty.  Michigan still has a National Championship and our head coach misses 3 games the next 2 years.  

It's over folks, time to move on to the season!  

Michigan Monday Continued: I Dare You To Commit before my Flight

Michigan Football added a 2027 commitment this morning from Texas Football Powerhouse Southlake Carroll, Tristan Dare.  Tristan is a 3-star guard or center prospect but has a 4-star offer list from the likes of: Penn State, OSU, Stanford, Florida, Oklahoma, and Washington.   In total, Dare had over 30 offers from some of the largest programs in the country.  It's clear that with a good fall, Dare could be rising up the rankings.  He is young and still has plenty of time to develop. 

Dare is 6'4 and 290 pounds and is ranked by 24/7 as the #33 interior offensive lineman nationally.  Welcome Big Man! 

• Michigan is #14 in the Coaches Preseason Poll