Eric Boggs
As if Michigan didn’t already have a thick cloud of scandal hanging over it—from sign-stealing to soft leadership—it’s now embroiled in a national security fiasco that would make any Buckeye shake their head in disgust. Two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, are facing serious federal charges for attempting to smuggle a toxic fungus into the United States. And where were they planning to carry out this scheme? Naturally, the University of Michigan.
Jian and Liu—her boyfriend—were both previously involved in researching Fusarium graminearum, a fungus so dangerous it’s classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon. It can decimate crops like wheat, rice, and barley and even cause severe health problems in humans and livestock. The FBI alleges Jian was already cultivating this biohazard in a Michigan lab without federal permits, with Liu planning to join her before being caught red-handed at the Detroit airport. It doesn’t get more reckless than that—smuggling in bioterror materials and bringing them straight into the maize-and-blue backyard.
Adding to the circus, former Michigan President Santa Ono’s national reputation is collapsing faster than Michigan’s credibility. After abandoning his post in Ann Arbor to chase the top job at the University of Florida, Ono was publicly rejected by the state’s Board of Governors. His critics, including conservative leaders like Sen. Rick Scott, torched his weak handling of pro-Palestinian protests, his DEI pandering, and his inability to maintain campus order. He tried to appease both extremes and ended up satisfying no one. What remains is a cautionary tale of spineless leadership—something that fits perfectly with the Michigan brand.
Let’s not pretend this is just a coincidence or a run of bad luck. Michigan has become a magnet for controversy, confusion, and chaos. From biological threats in their labs to university leaders who bend whichever way the political winds blow, this isn’t just a bad stretch—it’s a full-blown cultural rot. The maize and blue may try to cover it up, but the stench is unmistakable, and it’s not going away any time soon.
The University of Michigan’s name is now tied to agroterrorism, compromised campus leadership, and political embarrassment. For Ohio State fans, this is just another reminder that while the Buckeyes are building champions, Michigan is building excuses. And for the Wolverines, the fallout isn’t over. That stink will stick—and it’s going to follow everyone involved.
