The Ohio State Buckeyes suffered through a brutal loss to the Michigan Wolverines last Saturday.
The defeat kept Ohio State out of the Big Ten Championship Game and lowered its projected College Football Playoff seeding as well. It was difficult game to watch as defense dominated, and the final score ended 13-10.
Given the importance of the rivalry throughout the country, the players take pride in this game, and the Wolverines seemed to take it a little too far by planting their flag on the Ohio State logo at midfield, to which Buckeyes players took offense.
There was a postgame skirmish that included police using pepper spray on players. On top of the obvious issues that come with skirmishes, the Big Ten announced $100,000 fines to both programs.
Let’s just say ESPN analyst and legendary head coach Nick Saban was not a fan of this punishment.
“To fine these schools $100,000 is like worrying about mouse manure when you’re up to ears in elephant (expletive).” – Nick Saban. pic.twitter.com/qGqUqh1MVs
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 7, 2024
The Big Ten issued a statement on its decision to fine the programs as well.
“Not only did the actions of both teams violate fundamental elements of sportsmanship such as respect and civility, the nature of the incident also jeopardized the safety of participants and bystanders,” it said via ESPN’s Mark Schlabach.
It isn’t shocking to see the fine, bur Saban certainly didn’t love the decision given the other current issues the conference and the NCAA at large are facing.
