Ohio Sate football has a huge game on tap this weekend when it hosts the Penn State Nittany Lions for a top-10 matchup. Later in the year, there’s a big one in Ann Arbor against Michigan of course, but before that, our not-so-friendly neighbors to the north are dealing with a little off-the-field drama.
News broke on Thursday that the Wolverines are being investigated by the NCAA for allegations of advanced scouting to steal signs of opponents. This is on the heels of Jim Harbaugh already being in hot water for recruiting violations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CliffsNotes version of the latest is that a staffer with a military background has been visiting opponents’ games and stealing signs prior to Michigan playing them. It’s not illegal to steal signs in games, but it is against NCAA rules for in-person scouting in advance of playing opponents.
Well then.
We always keep our eyes on what the archrivals have cooking and another eyebrow has to be raised on this one. In fact, social media was ablaze with reactions from Ohio State corners, commenting, trolling and weighing in on the matter.
Here are some of the best reactions on X, formerly Twitter to the news that Michigan is once again being investigated by the NCAA.
This might be true
Michigan fans will spin this and say it's no big deal, and they might be right in the end. But from the outside, this looks and feels different. When the B1G is involved with the NCAA, that's a major red flag. They known how long they've been doing it, who the person was right…
— jbook™ (@jbook37) October 20, 2023
Did Greg Schiano touch on the signs stealing?
Greg Schiano at the half of the Rutgers Michigan game this year 🤔 pic.twitter.com/GslAoW55oz
— Menace 2 Sports (@Menace2Sports) October 19, 2023
The announcement from the Big Ten
🚨 #B1G Conference Statement
➕ https://t.co/F8yXggM3xw pic.twitter.com/qxVPaQow2o
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 19, 2023
Yeah, but it's my team so there's a double standard
Correct me if I am wrong, but this fanbase doing all of the finger-pointing and whataboutisms is the same one who said Ohio State was cheating because Justin Fields took online classes, right?
— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) October 20, 2023
You had to expect this
Ohio State “changed things up” in its play-calling signals after discovering that a Michigan football staffer was allegedly stealing signs, an OSU staff member told Yahoo Sports. https://t.co/5G5XeX5cNW
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 20, 2023
This is a fair point
Lost in the madness of this Michigan scandal: How good must TCU's signals be?
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) October 20, 2023
Underrated post. We should launch an investigation now.
Have there been any other “drone stoppages” at other B1G games this season?
— Kevin Noon (@Kevin_Noon) October 20, 2023
The watch is on
If Michigan State keeps this game remotely close tomorrow after what has transpired with Michigan we will have confirmation that the Wolverines have been frauds all along!
— THE Bunch of Nuts Podcast (@bunch_nuts) October 20, 2023
It has been fun ...
I don't care about Michigan getting caught cheating as much as I care about watching a program and a fanbase built on its moral superiority come to terms with getting caught cheating.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) October 20, 2023
Also a GREAT point
Sooooo if he didn't do anything and there's nothing to see, why suspend him? https://t.co/2PwzveVi7c
— jbook™ (@jbook37) October 20, 2023
This isn't even a hot take but pretty much on point
I am sure Desmond is working extra hard to be prepared for College Gameday to defend his Alma Mater… or just to inform us that everyone has an elaborate system in place too with the employ of ex-military types… or maybe he will just giggle through the entire show as usual.
— Kevin Noon (@Kevin_Noon) October 20, 2023
We'll have to see what kind of "protest" the Michigan players come out with this time
I cant stop laughing at all the
“I sTanD wiTHff niM HardnBaUgH!!” tweets 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/YqA8JWRehU
— Brutus Wayne™ (@BuckeyeBat) October 19, 2023
Please make this appear on ESPN's 'College GameDay' Saturday
Just FYI #BuckeyeNation! #2the4the 🅾️ #GoBucks ⭕🙌🏼 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/hLrCX4wDfr
— 𝘽𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙮𝙚 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 (@Buckeye_Nation) October 20, 2023
We're looking at you OSU T-shirt makers
Morning everyone! pic.twitter.com/qSsNh8xBZY
— Brutus Wayne™ (@BuckeyeBat) October 20, 2023
There are so many jokes to be had ...
#GoBucks ⭕️🙌🏼‼️ @CoachJim4UM 😂 pic.twitter.com/dlzjSdjoBB
— 𝘽𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙮𝙚 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 (@Buckeye_Nation) October 20, 2023
Is there something to this?
Explains why they are Terrible in Bowl games as well.
Can't scout a team in advance if you don't know you are playing them. https://t.co/CecjUxP2UU
— Jason🌰Garrison (@Jason23Gar) October 20, 2023
The baseball analogy works
Jim Harbaugh said Ryan Day was born on third base, while Jim Harbaugh was out here stealing 3rd base… heck, maybe stealing all the bases… #GoBucks 🅾️
— 𝘽𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙮𝙚 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 (@Buckeye_Nation) October 20, 2023
You have to tip the cap to the creativity
Introducing the Michigan Football Reconnaissance department AKA ST6 (scout team six). No signal, no play call is safe. Coming to a stadium near you. pic.twitter.com/VIItTCQo0n
— Truther_Vandross (@IknowThings19) October 20, 2023
This might be going a wee-bit too far
The biggest cheaters in sports history…. pic.twitter.com/J6agIxtOw8
— Jeremiah (@SYRmotsag) October 19, 2023
It all depends on who your team is I guess
Wow the same guys who said Michigan’s plan to spend months coordinating illegal on-campus visits were just “buying cheeseburgers” are downplaying the new scandal too? That’s crazy
— B1G_Ryan (@B1G_Ryan) October 20, 2023
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