Michigan Football: The Most Unfortunate Aspect Of The NCAA Investigation

As the NCAA continues its investigation into the Michigan Football program and an alleged sign-stealing scheme, the football players themselves are seeing their accomplishments over the last two and a half years called into question.

Over the last week, the NCAA investigation into the Michigan football program has dominated headlines in the world of college football. The investigation aims to determine if Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions is guilty of violating NCAA regulations regarding in-person scouting of future opponents, and whether or not anyone within the program may have assisted in those efforts. 

The best case scenario is that Stalions acted entirely on his own to coordinate what looks to be the most elaborate in-person scouting scheme in the country. The worst case scenario is that other members of the Michigan football staff, including Jim Harbaugh himself, were not only aware of the illegal practice, but also helped orchestrate and fund the operation. 

For his part, Harbaugh recently released a statement strongly denying any knowledge or involvement in what Stalions is currently accused of. 

I want to make it clear that I, and my staff, will fully cooperate with the investigation into this matter. I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed staff members or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment. I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action.

I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against the NCAA rules. No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules. Pursuant to NCAA rules, I will not be able to comment further while this investigation takes place.

As part of its investigation, NCAA officials are now searching various electronic devices by members of the football staff, along with the intention of conducting interviews on Michigan's campus with select members of the staff. The goal is to determine whether or not anyone on Michigan's staff was involved in, or aware of, the conduct by Stalions. According to a recent report by Yahoo Sports, there's no evidence at this point implicating Harbaugh directly or showing he had knowledge of the in-person scouting operation.

Given the scope of what Stalions is being accused of, along with the pace at which the NCAA typically moves, it seems unlikely that the investigation will conclude before the 2023 season comes to an end. 

Although there are many unfortunate aspects to this entire ordeal, perhaps the most unfortunate is that the Michigan football players themselves are caught in the middle. Earlier this year, the Wolverines played the first three games of the season without their head coach on the sideline, as Harbaugh served a self-imposed three-game suspension to begin the year. Now, eight weeks into the season, the players are faced with a scandal that has put their program in the national spotlight for all of the wrong reasons, while also calling into question all of their accomplishments over the last two and a half years. 

Michigan has been absolutely dominant dating back to the start of the 2021 season, accumulating an overall record of 33-3 that includes two consecutive wins over Ohio State, two straight Big Ten championships, and two trips to the College Football Playoff. The Wolverines are currently a perfect 8-0 on the season, ranked No. 2 in the nation, have a quarterback that is the betting favorite to win the Heisman trophy, and a team that is heavily favored to win the national championship. All of those things would normally be something to celebrate in Ann Arbor, but it's now become nearly impossible to talk about any of Michigan's success without the accusation of cheating being part of the story. 

It remains to be seen what the NCAA investigation will ultimately uncover, who was involved, and what punishment(s) may follow. In the meantime, this current group of Wolverines will have remain focused in their pursuit of a national championship, all while the cloud of being labeled as "cheaters" hangs over their head. They might not say it publicly, but something tells me that the players are well aware of the current narrative surrounding their program. Something also tells me that they're prepared more than ever to respond in the only way they know how - by dominating their opponents on the football field. 

Michigan returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 pm ET for a primetime matchup with Purdue in the Big House.