Jan 13, 2024; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh lifts the AFCA Coaches' Trophy during the national championship celebration at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-Imagn Images Junfu Han-Imagn Images

Predictions about 'the hammer' coming to Michigan football fall short

Originally posted on Michigan Wolverines on SI
By Seth Berry | Last updated Aug 15, 2025 12:51 PM ET

On Friday, the NCAA announced the penalties it is placing on Michigan football as a result of the organization's investigation into the Wolverines' impermissible scouting scheme, orchestrated by former staffer Connor Stalions.

While the NCAA's punishment included a $20 million fine against the university, an added game of suspension for Sherrone Moore and show causes for former head coach Jim Harbaugh and Stalions, the sanctions likely did not live up to the expectations of many rivals fans and social media accounts who were predicting that the program would receive "the hammer" from the NCAA and have past wins vacated, accomplishments stripped along with a potential bowl ban.

Here are some of the best "receipts" from recent days of accounts on X (formerly Twitter) from people who were predicting a far worse punishment for the Maize and Blue.

— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) August 15, 2025

Nah. Hammer still coming. I’ll wait for all the news this afternoon.
— Jeremy George (@Jeremy_George) August 15, 2025

There will be so much cope from the cheaters on this app tomorrow. We will be seated
— B (@GoBucks5240) August 14, 2025

This is bad news for um. Period. This has been gone over on eleven warriors weeks ago. Bad bad bad. The ncaa doesn't want um to get a narrative head start .
— Ron andrews (@Ronandrews57381) August 14, 2025

Nope, hammer
— Rodney Riguez (@3arod83) August 13, 2025

pic.twitter.com/Z6eKMiQKX7
— THE NATIONAL CHAMPS (@jj4szn) August 14, 2025

This is definitely a big troll by Justin. He has Michigan fans going absolutely nuts today just to crush them in a few days. Greatest Michigan st troll ever!
— BucksOnTop (@B2BOSU4532) August 13, 2025

NCAA about to hit Michigan with their most severe sanction package since Penn State 2012.

Buckle up
— NevadaBuck (@RealNevadaBuck) August 9, 2025

For all of the fun that has been had and how much attention the saga has brought, attention can now fully shift to the 2025 college football season as the Wolverines take on New Mexico in Week 1 on Aug. 30 under the lights at the Big House.