Stephen A. Smith Calls for Big Ten to Bring ‘Heavy Hand’ Down in Michigan Sign Stealing investigation

Stephen A. Smith believes the Big Ten should issue Michigan heavy repercussions as a result of the program’s alleged sign-stealing scheme.

The NCAA launched an investigation into the program’s apparent misconduct early in October and began probing Michigan coaches last Thursday about the allegations. The claims of the investigation are centered around Wolverines staffer Connor Stalions, who allegedly scouted the program’s future opponents in person to find out their coaches’ signals. However, Stalions’ alleged behavior is outlawed in college football.

Although Michigan (8–0, 5–0) sits at the epicenter of an investigation, the program has continued to win and climb the rankings as the Wolverines were selected No. 3 in the first College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday. Despite the program’s success, Smith believes the Big Ten must deliver an strong message to the program because the alleged cheating is a very “serious matter.”

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called for the Big Ten to bring a ‘heavy hand’ down on Michigan football as the NCAA investigates the sign-stealing allegations against the undefeated program.

Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat/USA TODAY NETWORK

“Suppose Michigan runs the table … gets into the College Football Playoff, what do you think people are going to be talking about?” Smith said on Wednesday’s episode of ESPN’s First Take. “You think you are going to get on center stage for national College Football Playoff, a national championship on the line, and the national media is going to ignore how you possibly got there? … Those kinds of questions come into play.”

Forde: CMU Investigating Michigan's Connor Stalions for Possible Sideline Infiltration

“I think it is a huge mistake on the part of the Big Ten to let this slide. You need to bring the momentum, the heavy hand of the conference down upon that program,” he continued. “If they [Michigan] don’t give you answers to your liking, you make moves to make sure they don’t represent the conference in the College Football Playoff.”

.@stephenasmith on Michigan's investigation of sign stealing:

"You need to bring the momentum, the heavy hand of the conference down upon that program. ... If they don't give you answers to your liking, you make moves to make sure they don't represent the conference in the CFP." pic.twitter.com/9trMCbitBT

— First Take (@FirstTake) November 1, 2023

Michigan will seek to remain perfect and stay on track compete for a CFP title against Purdue on Saturday.