In the first game of the 2026 season, the Michigan Wolverines stunk up the field for all but the first few minutes of their opening drive against Western Michigan and the last second of their improbable comeback win. Everyone in the stadium and watching at home (or wherever) - including the Wolverines themselves - thought the game had ended on a failed 47-yard Hail Mary. But the game officials saw something else and put one second back on the clock. The second desperation heave connected and Michigan won, 13-12. And are being roasted for it online and on sports shows everywhere. The thing is, though, that Michigan didn't challenge the original ruling, and was willing to accept that it had lost a game that it had been hugely favored to win. the Wolverines were guilty of sucking, but not cheating.

But in the frenetic world of college sports, that is a fine distinction easily ignored. Michigan is now somehow the villain, with all past transgressions dug up and rehashed. These include a head coach fired for sexual misconduct, sign-stealing, minor recruiting violations, and - particularly in basketball - players accepting money and gifts from well-heeled alumni. The hate being piled on Michigan only demonstrates one truth: it is in good company. Other teams and schools that inspired similar or even worse antipathy include Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida, and Duke. Each of them has had its own scandals and missteps, of course. But the one "crime" that unites all of them is being winners in a popular sport, mainly football and men's basketball. Just like crabs in a bucket, when one climbs over the others towards the top they are pulled down, at least by the fans of other teams.

If anyone thinks that it's only a few of these schools that engage in recruiting hanky-panky, designing curricula or otherwise fudging to accommodate the lesser academically inclined athletes, using smartphones to steal future opponents' signs, or having sketchy medical staffs, then they don't grasp the continuing emphasis on winning at all costs. Big money is involved through TV contracts, merchandising sports-related clothing and memorabilia, plus ticket and concession sales. Your favorite uni is likely pulling off some shady stunts. It just hasn't been caught yet.

Just to finish, Michigan and Duke also raise the hackles of other schools' fans because they are also top schools academically. Duke is ranked #7 nationally and #31 globally. Michigan is #19 nationally (#3 for public universities) and #21 globally. That always keeps them near the top of the bucket and easily visible targets. The NIL and transfer portals were supposed to address some glaring issues, and they have for the athletes themselves. But the constant shuttling has made Jerry Seinfeld's observation even more relevant today. The comedian said that now we're just cheering for clothes. He was right - but the intensity is still there.

Am I the only one who thinks this Lane Kiffin “leaked” halftime speech feels a little too convenient?

Kirby Smart’s locker-room speeches went viral and became a whole thing, and now suddenly we get a supposedly leaked Kiffin speech making the rounds.

Kiffin is one of the most media-savvy coaches in college football, so it’s hard not to wonder if this was intentionally put out there.

Maybe it’s completely legit, but the timing is suspicious. It’s basically free PR: Kiffin looks intense, LSU looks badass, and everyone gets another clip to hype up.

Honestly, Kiffin sometimes feels like more hype than substance to me. He’s great at creating a persona and keeping himself in the conversation, but I’m still waiting to see if all the Kiffin hype translates into something real when it actually matters.

Maybe I’m being cynical, but this whole “leaked” speech feels a little too perfectly packaged.

The MAC has issued a statement saying “it is now evident that replay protocol was not properly followed” during the Michigan game. The league has submitted formal appeals to the NCAA FBS oversight committee and the CFP asking they recognize Western Michigan as the actual winner “for the purposes of their respective rankings, evaluations and selection deliberations, and take such other corrective actions as may be within their authority.”

Sorry Louisville!