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The Michigan Wolverines are the reigning College Football Playoff national champions.
But Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith says that the label should come with an asterisk after the Wolverines found themselves embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal.
“Of course I do,” Smith said on the “All Sides with Anna Staver” show when asked if he believed there should be an asterisk.
He then went into further detail about his beliefs.
“The rules are in place to protect the integrity of the game and try your best to create a level playing field,” Smith said. “When those rules are violated, then it affects those principles. We have to keep that in perspective.”
Michigan went 3-0 against the Buckeyes in the last three meetings between the rivals.
But it’s not without plenty of controversy.
A sign-stealing scandal allegedly led by staffer Connor Stallions to a three-game suspension for Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh in 2023.
Stallions and Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge were fired following an investigation.
Harbaugh claimed his innocence repeatedly throughout the process. He maintained that stance even after leaving to return to the NFL.
“I can account for myself, and I can account for the players that they were always innocent, and I was innocent. You walk strong and tall and innocent,” he told the Detroit News. “Didn’t mind the priceless motivation. Didn’t hurt.”
Both the Big Ten and NCAA appear to disagree. But Harbaugh held firm.
“In the sixth grade, my English teacher introduced the concept of critical reading. This concept of believing everything you hear or everything you read […] it’s all good,” he said. “And you know what? The proof was in the pudding.”
Ultimately, Michigan won the games on the field. Those games can’t unhappen. But it’s fair for Smith to wonder about how level the playing field was for opposing teams in recent years.