If you were a Michigan State, Ohio State, or any college football fan hoping for a harsh punishment for Michigan levied by the NCAA on Friday, you were probably let down.
It was reported by multiple outlets on Thursday that Michigan would know its punishment on Friday around noon, but the report surfaced earlier than expected.
Pete Thamel reported the findings by the NCAA Committee of Infractions, and they essentially handed Michigan a small slap on the wrist for the cheating scandal that took place from 2021-23.
Sources: Among Michigan’s punishments in the NCAA COI ruling, per me and @danwetzel:
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 15, 2025
*Michigan receives a significant fine, expected to be more than $20 million, from loss of postseason football revenue for the next two seasons.
*Michigan coach Sherrone Moore is given an… pic.twitter.com/r7YD2CCUqq
The harshest punishment for Michigan by the NCAA is a $20 million fine "from loss of postseason revenue for the next two seasons" -- not sure what that second part means, but it's still a hefty fine.
Sherrone Moore will be suspended for two games this season and will miss the opener in 2026 as well. The two games in 2025 were self-imposed, but they won't happen until Week 3 and 4. They negotiated the suspended opener in 2026.
All of these punishments clearly show that Michigan broke the rules, but if we expected the NCAA to do anything other than make a grab for money, we should've known better. The NCAA has a history of punishing the wrong programs the harshest while allowing the money-generators like Michigan receive much more grace.
Now we can all finally move on, and this doesn't change the fact that Michigan cheated.
Michigan State fans should be completely focused on their own program anyway. The upcoming season is going to be the most important for Jonathan Smith as he attempts to make his first bowl game as Michigan State's head coach, and it would be a plus if he could avenge last season's loss to Michigan in East Lansing this year.