Michigan Radio sports commentator John U. Bacon says the University of Michigan and Michigan State University are inadvertently benefiting from sanctions handed down against Penn State today.
The NCAA and the Big Ten conference slapped Penn State with tens of millions of dollars in fines and other penalties for the university’s mishandling of a child sex abuse scandal. The sanctions include a ban on post-season play for the football team.
Bacon says that should help the Wolverines and the Spartans' hopes of playing for the conference title this fall. Another scandal is also sidelining Ohio State for this fall’s post season.
“So as far as the schedule goes…its probably a boon to both Michigan-Michigan State…looking at it from that point of view,” says Bacon.
Bacon says the penalties set down today will likely damage Penn State’s football program for at least the next decade.
The state of Michigan will also benefit from today’s sanctions in a different way.
The Big Ten conference is fining Penn State $13 million. The money will be spent on charitable organizations dedicated to the protection of children in Big Ten communities.
