The saying “flags fly forever” means everything in football, especially for powerhouse programs fighting for conference banners and title trophies. Last season, the Michigan football program took down the then-undefeated Washington Huskies in the College Football Championship, winning their first title since 1997. Michigan posted a perfect 15-0 record, but their journey to the tip of the mountaintop was never linear. Most notably, Michigan faced an NCAA investigation regarding accusations of sign stealing.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh missed the final three games of the regular season via conference suspension, but in the end, the NCAA did not strip the Wolverines of their title or vacant any victories. In April, college football’s governing body put Michigan on three years of probation regarding recruiting. However, Michigan’s biggest rival, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and mainly their fans aren’t letting the Wolverines off that easy heading into next fall.
Ohio State Football Fans: Create Viral Tweet Poking Fun at Michigan Wolverines
On Thursday, more news regarding EA College Football 25 was released through social media. The anticipation is palpable, with the highly anticipated revival of the college football series less than a week away. Among those excited for its release are the always-opinionated Ohio State fans, with one such devotee going viral on Thursday for an anti-Michigan football tweet.
Michigan fans next Friday pic.twitter.com/UobtZmvo9B
— Mr. Ohio (@MrOH1O) July 11, 2024
Die-hard Ohio State fan known as “Mr. Ohio” on Twitter posted a screenshot of a Google search bar reading “how to cheat in NCAA 25.” Above the tweet read, “Michigan fans next Friday,” the day EA College Football 25 becomes available to the public (early access comes Tuesday). As of late Thursday, Mr. Ohio has gained over half a million views, a borderline lock for a hit tweet on an account with over 49 thousand followers. After the NCAA investigated the Big Ten program for a sign-stealing scandal, college sports fans still have Michigan football in their crosshairs.
Michigan Football: Evades Harsh Punishments After 2023 Sign Stealing Scandal
Although sign stealing is not banned by the NCAA, using video to record the opposing team’s signals is. The NCAA also “strictly prohibits off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents.” Midway through the 2023 campaign, the NCAA went after the Michigan Wolverines, head coach Jim Harbaugh, and staffer Conner Stallions for sign stealing.
Stallions resigned in early November, with evidence circulating of the former staffer present on the sidelines of a contest between Central Michigan and Michigan State. Back-and-forths between Michigan football, the Big Ten, NCAA, and other programs eventually led to a three-game suspension of Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh. However, college football’s governing body did not find a connection between the bench boss and any alleged sign stealing. The investigation’s fallout also led to the firing of linebacker coach Chris Partridge for failing to “abide by the University directive not to discuss an ongoing NCAA investigation.”
Michigan football eventually won the College Football Playoff Championship, capping off a remarkable 15-0 season, and earned their tenth title in program history. In the end, Michigan largely survived any sanctions from the NCAA regarding sign stealing, but that doesn’t mean Ohio State football fans will let them forget it.
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