Craig Carton recently criticized Michigan Wolverines fans for their reaction to the team’s narrow victory over Western Michigan Broncos. The game ended with Michigan narrowly winning 13-12, thanks to a second opportunity for a Hail Mary pass after officials concluded a Western Michigan player touched the ball with a second left.
Carton questioned the need for such a celebration, comparing it to a major victory against a rival like Ohio State. As the host of the ‘Craig Carton Show’ on OutKick, he expressed his views clearly.
The issue isn’t just Michigan’s fortunate win due to the extra second. It’s that 110,000 fans celebrated as if they had beaten a major team.
Carton went on to critique the educational reputation of Michigan, labeling the fans’ actions as irrational. He highlighted past controversies within the Michigan athletics program, painting a picture of misconduct involving coaches.
Carton described Michigan’s slim victory over a Mid-American Conference team as an embarrassment, especially considering they were 27-point favorites. He argued that the celebration was misplaced and underscored systemic issues within the Wolverines’ program.
Michigan was ranked 16th prior to the game, facing Western Michigan, a team with a history in the FBS since 1962 but lacking major wins against top-ranked teams. Carton suggested that the fans’ reaction to this minor triumph hint at challenges for the rest of the season.
The game resulted in a statement from both the Big Ten and Mid-American Conference, explaining the decision regarding the clock controversy. Despite this, Carton remained critical of the fan behavior.
As Michigan prepares for their next match against Oklahoma, questions persist about Bryce Underwood’s role as quarterback. The future games will determine if Michigan can meet expectations despite this rocky start.