In the world of college football, timing can say a lot about intent.
When a program decides to impose its own discipline before the NCAA gets involved, the assumption is that it’s doing so to show accountability and a willingness to take responsibility. But Michigan’s recent move to suspend head coach Sherrone Moore for Weeks 3 and 4 of the 2025 season doesn’t seem to follow that principle.
Instead, it feels like a calculated attempt to sidestep real consequences while keeping Moore on the sidelines for a game that matters most to him personally and to Michigan’s season: a massive Week 2 road trip to Oklahoma.Moore’s suspension stems from his role in the now-infamous Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal—a saga that has already rocked the program and contributed to Jim Harbaugh’s exit from college football. Specifically, Moore is accused of deleting a thread of text messages with Stalions on the very day the scandal broke.
The NCAA considers this a Level II violation, and Moore, who was already suspended in 2023 for unrelated recruiting violations, is now a repeat offender. That alone should raise the stakes.
So how does Michigan respond? By offering up a two-game suspension—against Central Michigan and Nebraska.
On paper, it may look like a legitimate disciplinary action. But take one step back and it’s clear this is anything but a harsh penalty. Michigan is effectively choosing to shield Moore from missing the Oklahoma game, which is not just the team’s biggest nonconference test but also holds sentimental value for Moore, who played for the Sooners and graduated from the university.
This is where it also becomes particularly insulting to Nebraska
