More fallout over NCAA’s Michigan Football investigation: Harbaugh responds, MSU almost canceled the game

Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh has responded through his attorney to news reports about an NCAA investigation, plus more fallout. 

All this stuff with Jim Harbaugh and the NCAA is getting crazy. I guess the Michigan football head coach shouldn’t talk about things like profit sharing anymore.

There was a report put out by Yahoo Sports (the favorite leaking agent of the NCAA) that Michigan football is being investigated for stealing signs, which isn’t illegal unless it’s done electronically.

However, the big issue is whether Michigan football sent in-person scouts to games during the same season. That’s against the rules.

There are tons of rumors about other teams having proof of Michigan doing this, but I’m not sure why it wouldn’t be released if the NCAA had it.

Instead, the NCAA will leak a story making an allegation, when it knows that the people under investigation can’t comment or defend themselves.

It’s shady, but everything the NCAA does is shady.

Beyond that, I’m not sure what edge Michigan football would get from doing that. The All-22 film available to every fan probably has the same information.

However, all of this didn’t stop Tom Mars, Jim Harbaugh’s attorney, from essentially issuing a denial even though Harbaugh isn’t able to comment on the investigation.

Here’s what Michigan AD Warde Manuel had to say on the matter:

"“I want to personally assure you that U-M Athletics will offer its complete cooperation to the NCAA in this matter,” Manuel said in a statement to CBS Sports. “At the University of Michigan, all of us are committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity for all members of our community. This is the same expectation I have of all coaches, staff, and student-athletes.”"

There was another report claiming that Michigan State was informed and that the Spartans considered not playing the game due to “Player safety” (via The Athletic).

This has all made Saturday’s game more interesting. It has also enraged Michigan football fans who feel like their coach is a target of a corrupt organization (NCAA) with nothing better to do.

My only concern is how the players react. Michigan has done a great job of not letting distractions get to them and hopefully, that will continue on Saturday night.