The most painful blow came financially. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Michigan will lose roughly $30 million, with at least $20 million of that tied to a two-year postseason fine. That’s a big number, but Thamel noted the Wolverines could easily offset it with about $25 million in College Football Playoff revenue changes coming in 2026.

Some sophomores, who burst onto the scene during their freshman season, can be known to have sophomore slumps. But there are also freshmen who came on late in 2024, who are expected to take major leaps in 2025.

Outside of Connor Stalions, if anyone has been the face of Michigan football's 'signgate' saga, it's been ESPN reporter Pete Thamel. The one reporting on the allegations throughout the process, he became a villain to fans in Ann Arbor and a hero to those in Columbus and East Lansing.

Coming up with a list on Wednesday, ranking the top second-year breakout players in 2025 across college football, Marshall ended up being ranked second of the 11 players who made the cut, just behind projected OSU QB starter Julian Sayin.

Paul Finebaum won’t be sharing a steak dinner with Jim Harbaugh anytime soon. Michigan fans won’t be rolling out the maize and blue carpet for him outside the Big House, and he’ll be buying his own drinks indefinitely in Ann Arbor.

The Michigan Wolverines football program has been handed a multimillion-dollar penalty and head coach Sherrone Moore has been given an additional suspension as part of a sign-sealing scandal involving former Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions,

While the ESPN FPI has found a reason to doubt Miami, the Hurricanes ranked as the No. 10 team in the country in both the Coaches Poll and AP Poll. They were also predicted to finish second in the ACC in the preseason media poll.

At least some of the punishment the Michigan football program will face for the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal reportedly leaked ahead of the NCAA's Friday press conference.