The Outrage Over Michigan's 'Sign-Stealing' Is Hypocrisy At Its Finest

Over the last two weeks, the Michigan football program has faced backlash over accusations of sign-stealing, all while competitors who are largely guilty of the same conduct have been painted as victims.

Over the last two weeks, the Michigan football program has faced significant backlash over accusations of sign-stealing, all while competitors who are largely guilty of the same conduct have been painted as "victims". 

As it turns out, the University of Michigan has reportedly submitted documents to the Big Ten that indicate Rutgers and Ohio State had provided Purdue with intel on Michigan's play calling signs ahead of the 2022 Big Ten championship game. Put simply, Purdue - with the assistance of Rutgers and Ohio State - was able to benefit from in-person advanced scouting of a future opponent. 

It's an interesting development given the news cycle over the last two weeks. 

Yahoo Sports columnist Dan Wetzel highlighted the current hypocrisy when it comes to the selective outrage against Michigan. 

Michigan and Purdue broke the exact same rule - they used advanced scouting to steal a future opponent’s signals.

Why does the NCAA and B10 only care about one of them?

From the Yahoo Sports Read & React newsletter. https://t.co/AgdkZuamg9 pic.twitter.com/WlddZpbhmx

— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) November 8, 2023

In Michigan’s case, the “advanced scouts” were Stalions’ band of iPhone-toting buddies.

In Purdue’s case, the “advanced scouts” were the professional coaching staffs of two other Big Ten teams that had just played the Wolverines, and thus could battle-test the signs they stole as accurate.

Which would you rather have? Raw cell phone footage that still needs to be broken down, or highly experienced coaches just handing over their work?

Everyone would choose the Purdue option.

Yet, as Wetzel points out, it's Michigan that is currently painted as the college football villain. It's the Wolverines who are cheaters, who are destroying the integrity of the game, and who are currently facing a potential punishment from both the Big Ten and NCAA - all while being guilty of the same actions of nearly every other major program in college football.

The Big Ten conference is being guided by the faux outrage from rival coaches and athletic directors, all while ignoring the bigger issue at hand.  

The conduct of what Michigan is being accused of isn't nearly as nefarious (or uncommon) as the conduct that led to the investigation in the first place. Sign-stealing is common practice, hiring a private investigator to bring down your rival is not. 

It remains to be seen how exactly the Big Ten and NCAA will handle the situation with Michigan specifically, but it's a pretty safe bet that Michigan is prepared to respond with a strong legal response if any punishment is levied - one that could potentially put the conduct of other programs in the spotlight as well.