Under Review: Michigan Might Have to Forfeit PSU Win
Posted on 2007 under BCS Conferences, Big Ten, College Football News, Scandals |1 Oct
The Detroit Free Press and Pittsburgh Post Gazette are both reporting that Lloyd Carr’s Michigan Wolverines used a player that was academically ineligible in each of their first four games. Since this is a Big Ten eligibility rule, the Wolverines might have to forfeit their 14-9 victory over Penn State in each team’s Big Ten opener.
Artis Chambers, a freshman safety who enrolled at Michigan in January, appeared on special teams in each of the first four games. He had one tackle against Penn State Sept. 22 at Michigan Stadium.
Because it’s a Big Ten eligibility issue, Michigan is only facing disciplinary action based on its conference opener against Penn State, according to the Ann Arbor News.
Big Ten spokesman Scott Chipman said today that a subcommittee is looking into the matter and could make a decision within two weeks. Chipman acknowledged that awarding a forfeit to Penn State is an option.
Personally I would be surprised if the Big Ten went as far as to make Michigan lose the game, but it could send a message to the rest of the league about keeping closer tabs on academically ineligible players.
“We’ve had a misinterpretation of the Big Ten freshman-eligibility rules,” Martin said, referring to Chambers’ status as a second-semester enrollee last January. “We found this out Thursday afternoon. He is no longer going to be a part of the (active) team for the rest of the year. He was eligible under NCAA rules, not Big Ten rules.”
by Judy, on October 2 2007 @ 12:18 pm
I think that Michigan should have to forfiet the Penn State game. They would not have won it anyways without the bad calls made by the officiating team.
by Scott, on October 2 2007 @ 9:04 pm
I think forfeiting a game for a guy who plays special teams and had one tackle, actually an assist, in four games is ridiculous. He had absolutely no impact on the game. Michigan rightfully won that game and should be allowed to keep it, period.
by T, on October 2 2007 @ 11:25 pm
I agree with Scott. If this was even someone like a punter/long snapper/etc., I might understand an argument.
But a guy that plays just special teams and has 1 assist through 4 games? He made no impact.
by Ryan, on October 3 2007 @ 7:05 am
Michigan won that game fair and square. He played no direct role inthe outcome of that game. Face it PSU, you just can beat Michigan.
by David, on October 3 2007 @ 11:36 am
As a PSU alum I agree that Michigan won the game and deserved to win. the problem is it broke a rule - a rule that keeps college athletic programs equal. Whether Chambers made fifty tackles, interceptions, or whatever is not the issue. The issue is a broken rule and a just penalty for all big Ten schools to learn from. The penalty must be just, strict, and keep other schools from side stepping the rules. The only just answer includes the forfeit.
by mike, on October 3 2007 @ 11:54 am
i agree with david, it was a clear cut rule and they should be punished wheather the guy had an outcome on the game or not
by David, on October 3 2007 @ 12:24 pm
I think it would be interesting to see PSU awarded the win. If by some chance PSU then ran the table and won the rest of their games, we could Potentially (I said potentially with a capital P)have a huge BCS scandal at the end of the season. Maybe it would force college football to seriously consider playoffs.
by Bob, on October 4 2007 @ 9:32 am
David, the rule is clear cut? If its so clear cut, why haven’t I seen the rule in any article or blog about the rule? Is it particular because he was a second-semester freshmen or does the Big Ten disregard spring enrollment for freshmen numbers? If you know, post it because I can’t seem to find the “clear cut” answers.
by David, on October 4 2007 @ 2:14 pm
The Big Ten is taking a LOOOOOOONG time to make a decision. Eric Smith at USA Today said that points to a forfeit. WE ARE….
by rob, on October 4 2007 @ 6:51 pm
it’s a done deal. michigan will NOT have to foreit a game. as if there were ever a doubt.
by Michael, on October 10 2007 @ 10:25 pm
I know its a done deal…but the PSU alums saying that the should be “as strict as possible,” just shows they thier main concern was the outcome of the game. Would PSU fans say a word if the table was turned and PSU had broken the law. And for the fan who said it is a clear cut rule, show me the rule in NCAA rule book…thats right, you won’t find it, it is only a Big Ten rule. And as for him having an impact in the game, it does matter, if the problem were with Mike Hart, who is the main force of the Michigan offense, the game would have been forfeited, but because he was a “Special’s Only” player and had an assisted tackle (which was not a game or even touchdown saving assist) they were just given a slap on the wrist. As would any other Big Ten school who had broken the rule.