The recent release of the Draft of NOA against Michigan has stirred up the CFB world. Just yesterday, we learned that no Michigan Coach was connected to the scandal, while that doesn’t mean no punishment will commence.

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum offered his take yesterday and suggested that the Wolverines have no reason for worry.

During Monday morning’s “Get Up”, Finebaum was asked if the allegations against Michigan were a “big deal or not a big deal.”

“This is all a continuation of a long, drawn out story that in many people’s eyes, probably other than the NCAA, is over,” Finebaum said.

The analyst seems to suggest that the ongoing investigation is nothing more than a witch hunt against the program. The main issue for any Michigan fans debating the issue that the NCAA has all say in the matter. Finebaum later refered back to the NCAA President’s quote after Michigan won the National Title.

“Let’s not forget that Charlie Baker, the president of the NCAA — and this may sound out of context, because it probably is — but after Michigan won the national championship, he said they won fair and square,” Finebaum said. “I remember that, and I think a lot of lawyers are going to remember that, too, if this case goes very far and puts Michigan in the crosshairs.”

Many times in the world of sports, lawsuits come into play. This could be the case if the NCAA were to take unprecedented action against the Wolverines. Such a situation would likely be drawn out years in court and could be a winning situation for Michigan.

What This Means for Future Scandals?

The relationship between the NCAA and it’s reign over College Athletics has reached a breaking point. Between over-punishing programs for things that quite frankly are not a huge deal (Kentucky), to the added pressure of conference realignment, or even the fact that for decades the NCAA refused to let players receive compensation, we could be seeing the end of the associations rule, at least over D1 Athletics. If programs were to leave the athletic association, they would likely form their own league, unbound by the rules of corporate industry. It would benefit the schools and athletes, while tradition and bowl games would suffer the most.

We as fans can do nothing but sit and watch the game we love be destroyed. Or, at the very least, it’s reputation tarnished.