Some thoughts on Michigan football and the NCAA investigation

Here are some thoughts about the NCAA investigation into potential Michigan football sign stealing, which again, isn’t against the rules. 

I’m really sick of people talking about the NCAA investigation into Michigan football relating to sign stealing because as we all know, stealing signs isn’t illegal.

What is against the rules is in-person scouting. So the report that Pete Thamel came out with on Monday, was confirmation of a Michigan football staffer, Connor Stalions, being connected to in-person scouting which isn’t allowed during the same season.

If Michigan football was intercepting radio communications of opposing coaching staffs, then yes, the Wolverines would be in huge trouble. But they didn’t do that and there is no evidence whatsoever that Michigan has done anything except have one rogue staffer possibly violate the in-person scouting rules.

Here are some thoughts on this “investigation” so far.

Everyone steals signs…everyone

Of course, Ohio State fans are going nuts, forgetting the fact that Ohio State stole Michigan’s signals and had them in 2018 and 2019. This isn’t a secret.

Remember when Michigan football played Alabama in the Outback Bowl and had the banners blocking their coaches? There was commentary about it on the broadcast and it’s because Ohio State and others stole Michigan’s signs.

Then again, there’s nothing illegal about it. You can use TV copy, as well as the All-22 and in-person (in-game) information to steal signals and if you don’t change your signals frequently, they are going to get stolen.

There’s a new video from an Ohio State TV reporter showing Connor Stalions on the sideline communicating with Jesse Minter after an Ohio State signal like it’s proof of something nefarious.

Big shock. That’s his job. Every major college football team has guys that steal signs — including Ohio State (Brent Zdebski). Maybe Ohio State, which said it changed its signals before the 2022 game, didn’t do a very good job of it.

Stalions had a sheet of signals. So what? That’s his job. Why wouldn’t you compile information and take it to the game with you? It’s not evidence of anything illegal no matter how much Ohio State fans want to complain.

The reality is that Michigan football kicked Ohio State’s ass in 2021 and 2022 and this had nothing to do with it, regardless of how badly OSU fans want their soft little team to be OK.