Big Ten opponent reportedly had Michiganâs signs
A former football staffer at one of Michigan’s Big Ten opponents compiled a spreadsheet of the Wolverines’ signs relayed to him from other schools, according to a report Monday by The Associated Press.
The former staffer also told The AP that he had shared documents and text message screenshots showing Michigan’s plays and signals with the Wolverines, reportedly because he believes Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh “and his coaches are being unfairly blamed for the actions of a rogue staffer.” It’s the latest twist in the ongoing sign-stealing scandal that has consumed the last three weeks at one of the top programs in college football this season.
The former Michigan football analyst at the center of the sign-stealing allegations, Connor Stalions, resigned under pressure on Friday after reportedly refusing to cooperate with the school’s internal investigation. Stalions is accused of helping organize a complex multi-state operation to steal future Wolverines opponents’ on-field signals in a manner against NCAA rules, either attending games and recording them himself or arranging for representatives to do so.
In addition, Michigan has received formal notice of possible disciplinary action from the Big Ten, according to The Athletic. Rumors have swirled in recent days that Harbaugh — who has denied knowledge of the alleged sign-stealing operation — might be facing a multi-game suspension.
Big Ten football coaches and athletics directors reportedly held separate meetings last week with conference commissioner Tony Petitti, who is under pressure to issue some sort of discipline to Michigan. However, given the money and television exposure at stake, it’s considered unlikely the conference will declare the Wolverines ineligible for the conference championship game or the postseason.
Michigan is 9-0 and ranked No. 3 in the College Football Playoff Top 25 headed into Saturday’s game at No. 9 Penn State. The Wolverines also have remaining games at Maryland on Nov. 18 and at home vs. top-ranked Ohio State on Nov. 25 before possible berths in the Big Ten championship game and the playoff.