Pat McAfee trolls Michigan fans by joking 'there was supposed to be a boycott' as thousands turn out for ESPN's College GameDay show amid anger at network's coverage of sign-stealing scandal

Pat McAfee could not contain his excitement to be in Ann Arbor on Saturday morning as No. 3 ranked Michigan geared up to face No. 2 Ohio State at noon.

A capacity crowd showed up for ESPN's College GameDay pregame show despite reports of a boycott due to the networks coverage of Michigan's sign-stealing scandal.

In a sarcastic tone, McAfee joked about the matter while also praising fans for showing up.

'It's an absolute honor to be inside of Ann Arbor on this glorious Saturday morning you know,' McAfee said as the crowd roared behind him. 'All eyes in the college football world are on this beautiful city and why not?

'There's billionaires' kids walking around this campus. There's Bentleys parked in driveways. Some people say there's a smugness in the air. There is supposed to be a boycott, these people showed up in a big big way.'

Pat McAfee trolled the Ann Arbor crowd after reports of boycotting ESPN's College GameDay

It’s an ABSOLUTE HONOR to be inside of Ann Arbor on this GLORIOUS Saturday..

#CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/liNcQ5DatG

— Pat McAfee November 25, 2023 Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is currently serving a three-game suspension over the scandal

McAfee went on to detail the stakes for Saturday's game as both teams enter undefeated with the winner advancing to the Big Ten Championship Game.

Reports of the boycott sprung from Michigan fans' frustration with ESPN's coverage of the football program's sign-stealing controversy.

ESPN's Pete Thamel, who covered the case closely, posted consecutive stories on social media as developments unfolded.

While unnamed, fans insisted that Thamel's source was trying to paint Michigan as a villain.

McAfee and College GameDay host Rece Davis have also chimed with their opinions on the scandal.

Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore has been in charge of the team in Harbaugh's absence

Fans were expected to be absent or use noisemakers during segments unless Michigan alum Desmond Howard was speaking.

However, aside from a few signs that mocked ESPN, the crowd did little to nothing to disrupt the broadcast.

Analyst Connor Stalions, who was pointed as the person of interest in Michigan's wrongful scouting, was suspended indefinitely late in October. Meanwhile head coach Jim Harbaugh is serving a three-game suspension from the Big Ten.

Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore has been in charge of the team in Harbaugh's absence.

Moore has managed to keep them undefeated with wins over Penn State and Maryland.