"They cheated": Stephen A. Smith hammers NCAA with tough questions against Michigan's national championship title 

Image Credit: @stephenasmith/Instagram, @coachmooremu/Instagram
Image Credit: @stephenasmith/Instagram, @coachmooremu/Instagram

Analyst Stephen A. Smith has questioned why the NCAA's sanctions against Michigan for the 2023 sign-stealing scandal did not include stripping the university of its national championship crown.

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Nearly two years after the scandal rocked college football, the NCAA delivered its verdict, announcing that the Wolverines would receive a series of fines that could surpass $30 million. Former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions and former coach Jim Harbaugh received show-cause notices, but the program was not hit with a postseason ban or forced to forfeit its national title.

Joel Klatt mocked the NCAA for taking so long to announce the penalties, while Stephen A. Smith did not like the fact that the Michigan Wolverines' national championship title was left untouched.

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“If the NCAA verified and you’re on national TV right now confirming the obvious that Michigan cheated, why shouldn’t there be a discussion as to the legitimacy of their national championship? They cheated,” Smith said on "First Take."
“If they cheated and all of us are sitting here and acknowledging that a fine that could exceed anywhere from $20 to $30 million, recruiting (sanctions), a budget trim, confiscation of postseason profits, etc.” Smith continued. “If all of that is a matter of fact and it is clear that they cheated, why are we not having a discussion about their championship banner being confiscated?”
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Current head coach Sherrone Moore received an additional one-game suspension and a two-year show-cause penalty.

Michigan players stay optimistic amid penalties by the NCAA

Though the Wolverines face hefty financial punishments, the NCAA said it would be unfair to penalize the students for actions committed by the coaches and staff members who were no longer on the team.

Wolverines linebacker coach Brian Jean-Mary discussed his athletes' mindset amid the turbulent period.

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“Kids are resilient," he said, as per The Detroit News. "They didn't bat an eyelash. They didn't flinch, I think, and this is just me personally speaking, once they knew that this year they could go and chase every dream that they had, our guys were good. They were ready to rock and roll and go practice.”
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Tight ends coach Steve Casula reciprocated the same sentiment.

The team will prepare to face New Mexico in its season opener on Aug. 30.

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Edited by Neha Joshi
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