Michigan-Ohio State Rivalry: Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard Speak Out Against Sign-Stealing Scandal

Kirk Herbstreit is exhausted. Traveling 6,000 miles to four cities over three days with his golden retriever, Ben, has left both man and best friend in need of time to rest and recuperate at home, before starting all over again in a few days. However, it’s not the travel that has depleted Herbstreit’s energy. The Michigan sign-stealing scandal and the extensive coverage surrounding the story has rocked the sport and taken a toll.

Connor Stalions, a 28-year-old analyst for the Wolverines, resigned while the NCAA investigated his alleged role in a ticketing scheme to scout Ohio State this season. The investigation also led to a three-game suspension for Wolverines Coach Jim Harbaugh. The story has captivated fans throughout the latter part of the season, with opinions from ESPN’s “College GameDay” hosts Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard showcased on TV, podcasts, and Internet, leading up to Saturday’s showdown between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan.

Herbstreit and Howard remain committed to understanding all aspects of the situation, but they emphasize that their views don’t stem from their ties to Ohio State or Michigan, respectively. “What’s it been like for Des and I – I think all of us got to a point as players where we’re like, ‘Can we move on?’” said Herbstreit. “At some point, you just get tired of talking about the same stuff.”

Howard similarly pointed out that his grievances with the NCAA extend beyond his association with Michigan. “I don’t agree with a lot of the things that they do and some of the decisions that they come down with,” Howard said. “People get it misconstrued to think it’s a Michigan thing. No, no, no. It’s an NCAA thing.” The scandal has undermined the celebratory spirit of “College GameDay” during the show’s milestone of 30 years of coverage. Despite this, “GameDay” remains a pinnacle of Saturday morning pregame entertainment, boasting about 2 million viewers an episode and hosting record-breaking turnouts.

The controversy has been met with fervent expressions from across sports media, with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith calling for Michigan’s removal from playoff contention until the investigation is completed. Fox Sports’s Charles Woodson and ESPN’s colleague ouded by Ryan Day. Additionally, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called for Michigan to be banned from the College Football Playoff until the investigation is complete.

Amidst this upheaval, “GameDay” host Herbstreit recalls that the essence of the show has always been about more than rivalry. He stressed that “GameDay” has strived to foster an environment for laid-back, honest dialogue on and off the air. While Herbstreit is bracing for potential disruptions from fans at the next “GameDay” due to Michigan fans’ perceived opposition towards ESPN, he is hopeful that the fanfare around the Ohio State-Michigan matchup will take center stage. As the ongoing scandal looms over Michigan Stadium, Herbstreit sees both he and Howard as neutral, symbolizing a mutual desire for the story to end and everyone to move on.

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Olivia Wilson

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