There’s a new NCAA investigation that everyone has eyes on involving Michigan, and it’s taking some strange twists.
What’s more, the whole subject is a weird one to begin with: Sign stealing, something that — on the surface — seems like it’s done by everyone in football. It’s why you might see a head coach putting a call sheet over their mouths in case someone’s trying to read their lips for any advantage their team can get.
But if you’re a casual college football fan, you may not know that there are specific rules governing sign stealing that Michigan is now under investigation for.
Let’s dive in with what we know so far:
Yahoo Sports first reported the allegations
The allegation pertains to NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1, which reads: “Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited,” sources say. …
Teams are normally provided extensive video footage to scout opponents. At issue, according to sources, is whether Michigan used unnamed individuals to attend games of both scheduled opponents and possible College Football Playoff opponents in an effort to gather information on the signs they use to call both offensive and defensive plays. …
Two of Michigan’s opponents this season told Yahoo Sports they became aware that Michigan knew their play signs. Sign stealing does not violate NCAA rules unless the team uses in-game, electronic equipment to relay the information to players on the field or amongst coaches. The 2023 NCAA football rule book addresses sign stealing in a general way under a section titled Prohibited Field Equipment. It states that “any attempt to record, either through audio or video means, any signals given by an opposing player, coach or other team personnel is prohibited.” No corresponding penalty is listed.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh denied involvement
Jim Harbaugh statement pic.twitter.com/LX1C4twrMM
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) October 19, 2023
A report says a former Marine Corps captain named Connor Stalions is "a person of interest"
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.
Just to catch everyone up, the NCAA is seeking to prove that Michigan used a military agent named Connor Stalions to lead a vast network of football spies. None of what I have just written is an exaggeration https://t.co/nqW9rVPX7S
— Ben Mathis-Lilley (@BenMathisLilley) October 20, 2023
Did Rutgers' Greg Schiano allude to this earlier in the year?
College football fans think so.
"Some things are going on that aren't right."
Greg Schiano at halftime of Michigan vs. Rutgers earlier this season 🤔pic.twitter.com/q7ysKfNBhh
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 19, 2023
Another report said Michigan State considered skipping its next game against Michigan because of this
Upon learning of the pending investigation, Michigan State initially warned the Big Ten it might consider not playing Saturday’s game out of concern for health and safety for its players, according to two sources briefed on those conversations. On Thursday morning, MSU confirmed it will play the game. Michigan’s upcoming opponents were notified of the allegations and games are expected to take place as planned, an industry source said Thursday.
