Ohio State named Gene Smith as its athletic director in March of 2005. On June 30, he’ll retire and move to Arizona. During his tenure, Ohio State won or shared 11 Big Ten championships and played in 4 national championships. Perhaps more notably, the Buckeyes beat Michigan 14 times in Smith’s first 15 years atop the athletic department.

The Game has been dominated by Ohio State this century. Prior to the 2021 season, Michigan had 3 wins over Ohio State during the 2000s.

But times have changed and Ohio State has lost 3 consecutive games against the Wolverines — the first time that has happened since 1995-97. The Wolverines have also won Big Ten titles in each of the last 3 seasons and taken 3 consecutive trips to the College Football Playoff. Last fall, Michigan claimed its first title since 1997.

Of course, any discussion of Michigan’s recent success has to acknowledge an elaborate and extensive signal-stealing operation that featured in-person, on-campus scouting of opponents or prospective opponents ahead of meetings.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh — who denied knowledge of the alleged scheme — was suspended by the Big Ten for the final 3 games of the 2023 regular season because his team violated the league’s sportsmanship policy. Harbaugh was also suspended for the first 3 games of Michigan’s title-winning season as a self-imposed penalty for recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead period.

The NCAA has already handed down a negotiated resolution in the case brought against U-M for recruiting violations during the COVID dead period. The NCAA investigation into Michigan’s alleged on-campus scouting scheme is still ongoing. Some believe U-M’s national title should be vacated.

Related: Several top Ohio betting apps have early point spreads already posted for the 2024 clash between Ohio State and Michigan. Head to the link above for info on the best offers available to new customers today. 

During an interview on WOSU’s All Sides with Anna Staver on Thursday (begins around 40:42 mark), Smith was asked about Michigan, the allegations against the Wolverines, and the losing streak with the team up north. Smith began by saying expectations for any penalties in the sign-stealing investigation should be tempered.

“I think people’s expectations of what the NCAA might do relative to penalties are probably too high,” Smith said. “I won’t comment too much about what I feel because I don’t want to disparage but at the end of the day, violations occurred and penalties have been leveled and will be leveled. We just have to live with them.”

Asked directly if he felt Michigan’s most recent wins over Ohio State should carry an asterisk, though, Smith agreed.

“Yeah, of course I do,” Smith said. “Of course I do. The rules are in place to protect the integrity of the game and try your best to create a level playing field. When those rules are violated, it affects those principles. We have to keep that in perspective.”

The NCAA investigation is centered around former Michigan analyst Connor Stalions. Stalions reportedly purchased tickets to more than 30 games at 11 Big Ten schools in 3 years. The Columbus Dispatch reported last November that Stalions purchased tickets to at least 12 Ohio State home games during that time.

Harbaugh has since left the college ranks, taking the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers. Only 3 members of Harbaugh’s assistant staff are still with the program. Stalions resigned in November.

“I think what’s important for us is to look forward,” Smith said. “We host that team up north this fall. I’m assuming it will be what it’s always been. The last time that we had the level of interest in that game was 2006, one versus two. I think this year it probably won’t be one versus two. But it will be one versus somebody. And we have to make sure we pack that place and we’re ready to roll early.”