Michigan football rumors: Schembechler returns, rivalry ridiculousness, recruiting inroads

The latest Michigan football rumors include some rivalry silliness, the return of Shemy Schembechler and some big recruiting moves.

What’s going on the world of the Wolverines? It may be the offseason but times are good in Michigan with a team that looks ready to contend for a national championship in 2023.

How do Ohio State fans feel about that? Apparently, they’re a bit defensive.

Let’s take a look at some of the stories around Ann Arbor this week…

Ohio State fans aren’t handling Michigan’s success very well

The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State is as heated as it is prestigious. It brings out the most competitive sides of Wolverines and Buckeyes alike. But it also leads to some real silliness.

Commentors on the Ohio State-centric site Eleven Warriors have gotten it into their heads that Michigan has gotten an edge by stealing signs.

Michigan was indeed a second-half team in 2022. They led the nation in second-half scoring margin as both the offense and defense found ways to turn it up after halftime.

The idea that they achieved that by stealing signs is a pretty galaxy-brained explanation.

Both Michigan and Ohio State made it to the College Football Playoff last year so the power dynamic between the two should be moreorless even at the moment. Still, there’s good reason for the Buckeyes to maybe feel a bit defensive.

Jim Harbaugh moved ahead of Ryan Day in CBS Sports’ latest coaching rankings, sitting at No. 5 behind Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Dabo Swinney and Lincoln Riley. Meanwhile, Day fell behind Brian Kelly and Kyle Whittingham to No. 8.

Ohio State saw major departures for the NFL, but the Wolverines got back running back Blake Corum. And while the Buckeyes sort out their quarterback battle, ESPN just ranked J.J. McCarthy as the top QB in the Big Ten.