"Your $100,000 penalty is a joke": Fans react as the Big Ten punish Michigan and Ohio State for post-game altercation

The Big Ten announced on Sunday that Michigan and Ohio State have been fined $100,000 each. This is a penalty for their football programs' involvement in the postgame altercation following the Wolverines' dramatic 13-10 upset over the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

“The Big Ten Conference has issued an institutional fine to both the University of Michigan and the Ohio State University in the amount of $100,000 each,” the statement reads. "The Big Ten Conference considers this matter concluded and will have no further comment.”

The conference does not plan to suspend any player for their involvement in the postgame skirmish. The decision of the league and the way it has handled the situation hasn’t impressed many college football fans.

"Michigan has $17.9 billion in assets while Ohio State has $5.2 billion. Your $100,000 penalty is a joke."

Other reactions to the penalty:

"What a joke. Any of the players involved should be barred from playing the rest of the season and individually fined," a fan wrote.

"Wait $100K, that’s it? Where are the suspensions that everyone thought would be coming? Thats not much of a fine or a punishment for the ugly scene," another fan wrote.

"So someone tries to vandalize your place. You try to defend it. You are every bit as guilty as perpetrators?? Just like suspension of cheating last year….A JOKE," a fan commented.

"The Big 10 office sucks. Overpaid bureaucrats. Grifting off the backs of student athletes. You are the worst," another fan commented.

The Big Ten claims Ohio State and Michigan violate the league’s sportsmanship rule

After staging the upset on Saturday, Michigan players gathered on the Block O logo at the midfield of the Ohio Stadium in celebration. The Wolverines players planted their school’s flag on the logo, immediately prompting a response from the Ohio State players.

The brawl exploded after that and needed a police response with pepper spray to calm the situation. In its statement on Sunday, the Big Ten cited both Michigan and Ohio State for violating the league's sportsmanship policy during the postgame altercation.

“The Big Ten Conference has determined that the actions of both teams following the Michigan-Ohio State football game on Saturday, November 30, 2024, violated the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy.

“Not only did the actions of both teams violate fundamental elements of sportsmanship such as respect and civility, the nature of the incident also jeopardized the safety of participants and bystanders.”

Ohio State respects the decision of the conference

Ohio State issued a statement on Sunday, acknowledging and expressing respect for the Big Ten's decision regarding the penalties. The school expressed its disappointment at the scene while promising safety in its release.

"What happened post-game yesterday was unfortunate," the statement said. "Good sportsmanship is always important in everything we do at Ohio State. Moving forward, we will continue to examine and address our post-game protocols to ensure our student-athletes, coaches, visiting teams and staff safely exit the field."

It was the Buckeyes' fourth consecutive loss to their rival, marking a major disappointment. The team's coach now holds a 1-4 record against the Wolverines, representing 40% of his total losses at Ohio State.