Two articles from SI's FanNation Wolverine Digest
SIAP
Recently appearing on FanNation were two opinion articles written by Wolverine Digest's own Christopher Breiler.
"NCAA Investigation Into Michigan Football Program Has Highlighted Recklessness Of Media"
"The steady flood of reporting about the investigation into the Michigan football program hasn't produced much in the way of facts, but it has produced plenty of rumor, speculation, and flat out inaccurate information - as well as producing a lot of clicks along the way."
"The problem, as [Joel] Klatt points out, is that nobody calling for immediate action has any of the facts before them. What they have are accusations, speculation, and rumors about what took place."
I found intriguing the logic in the two articles. I appreciated the advocating for not continuing to rush to judgement where the facts are so few and yet so rampant. I also found some of the "points" in the articles highly resembled those posted in comments from mgoblogers.
Any thoughts?
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:25 PM ^
My thoughts are: I like those two guys. They're not dumbasses.
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:46 PM ^
Klatt is taking a lot of flack for his tweet. Man is Twitter ever toxic.
But wading in there helped me see what people are saying. This is really separating those who know football from those who don't have a clue. I expect an underinformed OSU fan (there's no other kind) to think that our success has been on the back of Stalions (pun intended).
But, wow, there are so many people who both don't understand how the game works and haven't watched our games.
Joel's also got 1.5 Million interactions with the tweet, which I hope is good for him professionally. He's great at his job and a great man.
November 3rd, 2023 at 12:21 AM ^
Just like their success wasn't tied to paying recruits and Urban Meyer was always a man of high morals.
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:30 PM ^
Clicks, views and axes to grind are the only thing that matters now.
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:36 PM ^
After being an MGoLurker for a long time, I joined the blog tonight.
I am a 94 grad and military veteran. I was a 25+ year out-of-state season ticket holder until 2020. (recently converted to a Seat Geek week-of-game ticket buyer - I was a financial victim of our on the field challenges for my last 10 years as a season tix holder)...
The last 10 days have been insane.
2 points -
* Admittedly, receiving a congressional appointment to the USNA is a massive accomplishment. I chose the UM path after receiving an appointment to just one of the 3 US military academies I had applied to - so all due respect to Lt. Stallions. But in completely good natured ribbing - there is common perspective among vets, that the Marines can often need a little help in the intelligence department. His jarhead (again, due respect, recognition of his service..., and fair cross-service ribbing...) decisions are clearly evidence that this was a rogue operation executed to derive recognition and acceleration of his career. Not saying that higher ups on the staff shouldn't have developed suspicions of his actions but EVERYTHING about this situations suggests a guy who didn't think ANY of this through and whose self importance outweighed logic in nearly every decision he made related to his plans. (assuming he knew his plans were, at best, skirting the letter of the rules)
* The above two stories (and notably Klatt's take on things) as well as the Best and Worst: Signs Diary are the most rationale views I've read so far on these issues facing us as fans and most importantly, our school and this current team who have worked so hard this year.
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:41 PM ^
Welcome and thank you for your service
November 3rd, 2023 at 12:06 AM ^
+++
Thanks GoBlueGoWings --
Can't believe it took me this long to join. I had to search 3 or 4 possible email addresses to be certain that I hadn't registered previously.
I am 100% proud of my service, but also 100% glad my officer commission was through a UM ROTC program rather than a service academy. There are absolutely those who materially benefit from that more controlled path, but many other amazing service men / women who thrive and are better more well-adjusted leaders based on having to make more 'traditional' choices through their college career.
November 3rd, 2023 at 12:27 AM ^
So glad to have you here, and thank you for your service as well!
I lurked for years too and let me say, it's a blast to be a more active part of the blog. You'll love it!
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:56 PM ^
Love both of these articles, they are great rational takes!
November 3rd, 2023 at 12:19 AM ^
I read through the first article. While it identifies a problem you see with the reporting, it still doesn't highlight a fundamental point: that aside from a potential violation at CMU (which is not yet confirmed), even if you accept all offered evidence as fact, Michigan didn't violate the rules.
November 3rd, 2023 at 12:43 AM ^
I've liked Joel Klatt's discussions for a while. This recent one is excellent, in my opinion.
I filter all of this through the lens of persuasion, propaganda, smear tactics, etc. I have studied those fields a lot. To me, the tools of a smear campaign seem totally obvious.
My speculation:
There are a few organizations involved in a professional-level smear campaign against Michigan.
One of them is either the investigation firm that was hired or a PR firm that was also hired for the purpose of creating a smear campaign. That's the main source of the flood of well-timed leaks to friendly yellow journalists.
A second is the organization who hired the above. An organization with money, connections in college football, and enough motivation to harm Michigan so that it is worth spending money and effort to obtain that. They aren't the leakers directly.
A third is ESPN. Primary motivation can be generating a lot of clicks and attention. But secondary could be running down Michigan and the Big 10. They don't have rights to Big 10 games, so why not? Also, (and I put the odds of this at infinitesimal) if there were enough friction stirred up between the Big 10 and Michigan that Michigan left the Big 10 for the SEC, it would be a gigantic win for ESPN. That last angle is waaaay out there -- unfounded, nutty, wild speculation.
On the other side, we have Fox, which does have its own media, journalists, and interest in the outcome being good for Michigan and the Big 10. So, if ESPN is hopping on the side of the smear campaign, Fox might be happy if its side got vocal on the other side of it. Maybe not right away, because some controversy drives exposure and is good for Fox, too. But if it gets too much, I think they'd deploy their media, journalists, etc.
This is all facilitated by the large majority of fans, "journalists", and supposedly other coaches (at least when they give anonymous statements) not at all knowing the text of rule 11.6.1 and having zero knowledge experience with how laws and regulations tend to work. Helped by fans and staff of opponents always being happy to run down opponents. Helped by yellow journalism. And helped by the dry tinder of social media as facilitating environment for firestorms.
November 3rd, 2023 at 9:15 AM ^
This spygate, social media infused nightmare, is ruining the sport for me. I can’t even enjoy player and team motivational content without it all eventually devolving into slander for not only the football program, but the entire university! Fuck the NCAA and whoever else spun this. I hope UoM is legit and legally buries everyone involved. End rant