Amid a sign-stealing investigation:a cloud of cynicism and doubt has now engulfed Michigan football.

 Amid a sign-stealing investigation:a cloud of cynicism and doubt has now engulfed Michigan football.

The allegations against Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines cast doubt on their recent success and hint to a possible flagrant disdain for the law.

At halftime on September 23, Rutgers was behind to Michigan 14-7. Coach Greg Schiano of the Scarlet Knights conducted a quick sideline interview with the Big Ten Network before leaving for the locker room. When asked about first-half penalties, he gave an odd and contrasting response.

 We need to slow things down a little bit since there is some activity going on outside, Schiano remarked. "There are merely some irregularities occurring as well. So let's discuss how to address it.

"Some things are going on that aren't right," hold on a second. Here was the sporadic, thought-provoking coach's in-game remark. Regrettably, the follow-up query to Schiano was about Rutgers' passing strategy rather than what the coach claimed "wasn't right." As Michigan marched to yet another straightforward victory in the second half, the moment vanished, its soundbites virtually forgotten.

Schiano's subtle remark now has a different resonance. The Big Ten has announced that the NCAA is looking into alleged "sign-stealing" by Michigan football players. Sports Illustrated has information from sources verifying a shocking revelation published earlier on Thursday by Yahoo Sports that the investigation is related to alleged improper in-person reconnaissance of opponents and potential opponents.

 

The Big Ten Conference and University of Michigan were informed by the NCAA that the NCAA was looking into allegations of sign stealing by the University of Michigan football program late on Wednesday afternoon, according to a statement issued by the Big Ten on Thursday. Future opponents and Michigan State University, which faces Michigan on Saturday, have been informed by the Big Ten Conference.
Sign theft is not specifically prohibited by NCAA regulations. However, it is forbidden to spy on rivals in person and to record communications using audio or video equipment. The only concrete accusations made against the Wolverines are that someone or something stole signs and conducted in-person scouting of the team. (According to a report in The Athletic, Michigan allegedly employed a "vast network" of individuals to steal opponent's signage.)

 

It was obvious that Rutgers believed there was a problem in the Big House last month. Two other schools that played Michigan this season reportedly have sources who believe the Wolverines cheated to collect their signals. One more Big Ten resource.
The No. 2 team in the country is now shrouded in uncertainty, so we'll see where this goes. After the postgame violence that ruined the game in Ann Arbor last year, it was already expected that the setting inside Spartan Stadium on Saturday night would be heated to a potentially poisonous degree. Michigan is now entering as a target of blatant ridicule.

 

And if the accusations turn out to be true, that cloud will pour an offensive downpour on the Wolverines. No amount of false institutional talk about integrity could justify such blatantly offensive levels of cheating.
It might also portray Michigan as blatant repeat offenders. If the program was in the middle of an earlier investigation for other alleged violations, such as using too many on-field coaches, improperly monitoring offseason workouts, and improper recruiting contact during the COVID-19 dead period, it would be completely disregarding the rules manual if they were found to have occurred. Furthermore, it can expose the program to harsher punishments.