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Things are heating up in the Michigan sign-stealing scandal.
Two weeks ago, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that a Michigan staffer illegally scouted opponent’s games in person to decipher teams’ sideline signals.
Via ESPN
Connor Stalions, a football analyst with the Wolverines and a retired captain in the United States Marine Corps, is a person of interest in the investigation into whether No. 2-ranked Michigan violated an NCAA rule by scouting future opponents in person at games, sources said. The NCAA prohibited such scouting in 1994.
Sources said the NCAA enforcement staff’s level of interest in Stalions is so significant it sought access to his computer as part of its investigation. Sources indicated that the process is underway, although it’s uncertain what investigators will find.
The staffer has since resigned and said Jim Harbaugh knew nothing of his actions, but other Big Ten schools are calling on Michigan to face disciplinary actions.
On Monday, the Big Ten finally gave Michigan notice over the sign-stealing allegations, but it appears that there could be a lengthy legal battle brewing.
According to The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy, Michigan plans to take the Big Ten to court if an attempt to delay any suspensions this season.
“Michigan has received notice from the Big Ten indicating specific sign-stealing allegations but it does not indicate what penalties would be administered, UM sources told
@ActionNetworkHQ
. UM has until Wednesday to respond to Big Ten, source said. The Big Ten’s pursuit of penalties against Michigan and/or Jim Harbaugh is viewed as a “PR stunt” in response to public pressure & in light of the conference’s lack of action up to this point, source said. UM will legally fight any disciplinary actions, which potentially would block any suspensions from occurring this season, sources said”
The Big Ten might have to start investigating other teams because it seems sign-stealing was prevalent in their conference.
A former employee at a Big Ten football program has told The Associated Press it was his job to steal signs and he was given details from multiple league schools to compile a spreadsheet of play-calling signals used by Michigan last year.https://t.co/8qssRFN5kB
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) November 6, 2023
It’ll be interesting to see how the Big Ten/Michigan situation will play out during the college football playoffs considering Michigan is currently ranked #2 in the nation.