Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith didn’t leave any doubt what he thought of Michigan’s recent three-game winning streak against the Buckeyes on the football field. They shouldn’t count at all, given the Wolverines’ recent sign-stealing allegations.

When asked by Ohio State’s NPR affiliate if Michigan’s wins should come with an asterisk, he joked: “Of course I do.”

“The rules are in place to protect the integrity of the game and try our best to create a level playing field,” Smith said on All Sides with Anna Staver. “When those rules are violated, then it affects those principles. We have to keep that in perspective.”

Ohio State won 17 of the 24 editions of The Game in the 21st century, including an eight-game win streak culminating in a 59-27 rout in 2019, but Jim Harbaugh led Michigan to three straight decisive victories over the Buckeyes, winning the national championship last season.

But the Wolverines were also the subject of NCAA investigations, most notably the sign-stealing scheme alleged to have been perpetrated by former UM staffer Connor Stalions that resulted in a three-game suspension for Harbaugh to finish the regular season last year.

The NCAA’s investigation into those claims remains open.

Smith will retire from Ohio State in July after leading its athletic department since 2005, and his final season at the school will find the Buckeyes hosting the Wolverines in Columbus, with the very early consensus being that OSU will be favored in the game.

“We host that team up north this fall, and I’m assuming it’ll be what it’s always been,” Smith said.

“The last time that we had the level of interest in that game was 2006 with No. 1 vs. No. 2. This year, it probably won’t be No. 1 vs. No. 2, but it’ll be No. 1 vs. Somebody, and we need to pack that place. Be in your seat early. Don’t wait until the kickoff. Be in your seat early.”

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New coordinator Joe Rossi continues to build the future of Michigan State football’s defense from inside the state borders.

DiMari Malone pledged to become part of the Spartans’ 2025 recruiting class on Sunday. The Macomb Dakota junior joins fellow three-star linebacker Charles “DJ” White, from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, and quarterback Leo Hannan, from California, as giving commitments to new coach Jonathan Smith for the next recruiting class.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Malone is rated No. 11 in the state for 2025, the 83rd-best linebacker in the nation and No. 773 player overall, according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings. He chose MSU and Smith over offers from Illinois, Minnesota, Pitt and several Big Ten and MAC programs.

INCOMING MONARCH: Michigan State football lands Old Dominion DT Jalen Satchell from transfer portal

Linebacker has been a major point of emphasis on defense since Smith and Rossi arrived in the winter.

Rossi, who previously was defensive coordinator with the Gophers, also pulled four-star linebacker Brady Pretzlaff away from a commitment to Minnesota in the 2024 class. The Gaylord native enrolled at MSU in January.

The Spartans also brought in three transfer linebackers for 2024 in January enrollees Jordan Turner (Wisconsin) and Wayne Matthews III (Old Dominion) along with recently committed Marcellus Pulliam (Miami-Florida). Turner originally is from Farmington.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.

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