ANN ARBOR, Mich. - As the highly anticipated matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes draws near, the cloud of controversy looms over ESPN's presence in Ann Arbor. Many Michigan football fans are expressing their discontent and planning to boycott ESPN's "College GameDay" on Saturday due to the network's handling of the sign-stealing case.

Saturday's game holds immense significance for both teams, with No. 3 ranked Michigan hosting No. 2 ranked Ohio State in a battle between two undefeated rivals. The outcome will determine which team advances to the Big Ten Championship Game and potentially secures a spot in the College Football Playoff. Conversely, the losing team will face a non-playoff bowl assignment.

Michigan's sign-stealing scandal, which erupted over the past two months, has sent shockwaves through the college football world. The fallout from the controversy has already led to the resignation of analyst Connor Stalions, the firing of linebackers coach Chris Partridge, and the suspension of head coach Jim Harbaugh. Despite admissions from both the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA that no evidence has been found linking Harbaugh to the scheme, he has been barred by Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti from coaching the team's final three regular-season games.

The frustration of Michigan fans towards ESPN stems from the network's coverage of the sign-stealing case. Criticism has surfaced regarding Pete Thamel, an ESPN employee who extensively reported on the case. Thamel's continual release of stories, often framing each small detail as breaking news, has raised speculation about the source of his information and the motives behind it. Some fans believe that a biased agenda was at play in an attempt to portray Michigan in a negative light. Furthermore, when Michigan began publicly addressing the issue, Thamel seemed to be absent from the conversation.

Additionally, ESPN featured numerous commentators, including Ohio State alumni and proponents of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), who incessantly piled on Michigan, suggesting that they should be banned from the College Football Playoff. Even "College GameDay" host Rece Davis and panelist Pat McAfee joined in the criticism.

In response to ESPN's coverage, a significant portion of Michigan's fan base has planned to boycott "College GameDay" or disrupt the broadcast with noisemakers during segments, excluding when former Michigan player Desmond Howard is speaking.

While ESPN will deploy their own security to maintain control over the situation, it is expected that the crowd at "College GameDay" will be smaller compared to FOX's "Big Noon Kickoff." FOX, being the primary broadcast partner of the Big Ten, has taken a decidedly pro-Michigan stance throughout the sign-stealing controversy. Coincidentally, FOX's broadcast location at Pioneer High School, just across the road from Michigan Stadium, provides a convenient gathering spot for fans.

The hostile atmosphere surrounding "College GameDay" heightens the anticipation for the game itself, which is set to kick off at 12:14 p.m. Eager eyes will be focused on the field as Michigan and Ohio State clash in what is undoubtedly one of the most crucial games of the season. However, before the kickoff, fans will have the opportunity to voice their discontent with ESPN's coverage of the sign-stealing controversy.