Jim Harbaugh and Michigan Football in the crosshairs again
Well, here we are again – it’s Michigan/Michigan State week and the Michigan Wolverines are being investigated again.
First, it was Jim Harbaugh and “Burger-gate” and today we have “Sign-gate”, courtesy of our friends at the NCAA.
It’s not enough that Harbaugh was mixed up in the scandal of buying teenagers cheeseburgers and watching unsanctioned workouts via Zoom during a Covid-dead period a couple of years ago. Now, we have the NCAA investigating the Wolverines football program for alleged sign-stealing of their in-season opponents as first reported by Yahoo Sports.
This clearly indicates that, as a text from a Buckeye friend of mine sent me today, “Harbaugh is dirty”.
I’m being a bit sarcastic here. This is just a storyline almost too ridiculous to believe. Two investigations within one year, for burgers and sign-stealing.
With the media coverage this is receiving, you’d think that the NCAA was about to embark on a six-year investigation against the program or find something like “hundreds” of infractions against the program.
Jim Harbaugh statement pic.twitter.com/LX1C4twrMM
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) October 19, 2023
For his part, Jim Harbaugh has responded with a firm denial of any NCAA violations.
If Michigan football was actually sending a “vast network” of spies to steal signs and it can be proven, then the program will be in some definite trouble.
Tom Mars, Jim Harbaugh's attorney says Harbaugh "was just as surprised as anyone else by the news reports about an NCAA 'sign stealing' investigation. He has no knowledge about prohibited 'sign stealing' by anyone at Michigan or anything else that’s been reported in today’s news"
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) October 19, 2023
Until then, it seems a bit overblown to say the least. It’s unclear what evidence, if any, the NCAA and the Big Ten have against the Wolverines.
The burden of proof is on the NCAA at this point and early in this story, it seems difficult to prove the allegations.
The unfortunate part of all of this is the distraction from what has been a dominating 7-0 start to the Wolverines season. Certainly, some opposing fans will point to this “scandal” as a reason to discount Michigan’s success on the field, which is unfortunate.
Next. Michigan State also didn't play Michigan football. dark
Maybe we just needed a little drama to spice up Rivalry Week. With the struggles the Spartans have had on and off the field this season, the week has been a little quiet, until now that is.