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| The time has come |
It's being reported that Ohio State will find out its NCAA fate later today.
"Athletic director Gene Smith confirmed to The Associated Press early Tuesday that the NCAA's committee on infractions would hand down its final sanctions of the Ohio State athletic program at 3 p.m. EST.
The decision comes almost a year to the day since problems were first revealed in the football program. Five players were suspended last Dec. 23 for the first five games of the 2011 season for accepting cash and tattoos from the owner of a local tattoo parlor. Coach Jim Tressel was subsequently forced to resign.
Ohio State offered to vacate the 2010 season, return its share of bowl money and be on probation and have minor recruiting restrictions. The NCAA could add to those penalties."
Ohio State has already done the above, and then recently, placed themselves on a scholarship reduction.
The NCAA could accept or add to Ohio State's self-punishment, which included Jim Tressel's resignation, two years of probation, five reduced scholarships, vacating the entire 2010 season and forfeited its Big Ten bowl payout share, or roughly $338,000.
Ohio State has two options once the verdict is announced: Accept or appeal. Gene Smith has said that Ohio State is prepared to accept what the NCAA hands down.
Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest updates and news concerning Ohio State's fate with the NCAA.
