Lou Holtz: True or false, allegations a bad omen for Michigan football

ESPN analyst Lou Holtz taped a segment last week predicting that Michigan would win seven games, make a bowl and “be the surprise team in the Big Ten.” After hearing allegations over the weekend that Michigan committed potential NCAA violations by exceeding practice time, Holtz is changing his tune.

“That was before this came out,” Holtz said Sunday night. “I don’t know who said it, but I’m going to tell you it doesn’t speak well for their future right now.”

Holtz said his concern is twofold.

“Either they violated the rules or you got some people that don’t buy into having to (rebound from) the worst season in Michigan history,” Holtz said. “How much worse can it get at a place like Michigan? Good Lord, where’s your senior leadership?”

Holtz said players in major college football programs often exceed the NCAA mandated 20 hours of practice time per week in season and eight hours a week out of season.

“The bigger the stadium, the greater the sacrifice for every individual,” he said. “There’s some stadiums that seat 8,000. You want to be at Michigan, this is what we’re about."

At issue with Michigan, is whether players were required to practice more by coaches - an NCAA violation - or did so on their own time.

“I just know that Coach (Rich) Rodriguez must be disappointed, the Michigan fans (must) be disappointed," Holtz said. "One, if there was a violation they’d be very disappointed. And if it was just a question of trying to push people to be great and the athletes rebelled, I think that would upset them as well."