BREAKING: Big Ten warns Michigan State it has 'credible evidence' Michigan is sign-stealing
Just when we thought 'Hate Week' would go by with nothing but a whimper of hostilities, a bombshell story drops a little over 48 hours before the Spartans and Wolverines are set to take the field.
After receiving notification from the NCAA that the University of Michigan football program is being investigated for impermissible in-person scouting of future opponents, the Big Ten Conference has warned Michigan State it has "credible evidence" which suggest the Wolverines have successfully stolen signs called by opposing coaches this season, according to a report by The Athletic.
On Thursday, Yahoo Sports broke the story reporting the NCAA's investigation of the Wolverines over an allegation pertaining to NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1, which reads: “Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited."
"Late Wednesday afternoon, the Big Ten Conference and University of Michigan were notified by the NCAA that the NCAA was investigating allegations of sign stealing by the University of Michigan football program," the Big Ten said in a statement released Thursday. "The Big Ten Conference has notified Michigan State University and future opponents. The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation. The Conference will have no further comment at this time."
According to The Athletic's report, Michigan State initially told the Big Ten it might consider not playing Saturday's game against the Wolverines out of concern for the health and safety of it's players. However, MSU has since confirmed it will play the game, the report says.
Teams are often provided video footage in order to scout opponents, but in-person scouting of future or potential opponents has been prohibited by the NCAA since 1994. However, there are no specific rules against sign-stealing unless the team uses in-game, electronic equipment to relay the information to players on the field or amongst coaches. What Michigan is being investigated for is allegedly using unnamed individuals to attend games of both scheduled opponents and possible College Football Playoff opponents in order to gather information on signs used on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
According to the Yahoo Sports report, two of Michigan's opponents this season have said they became aware the Wolverines knew their play signs. The 2023 NCAA football rule book addresses sign stealing under a section titled "Prohibited Field Equipment", stating that “any attempt to record, either through audio or video means, any signals given by an opposing player, coach or other team personnel is prohibited.”
In response to the notice of allegations, the University of Michigan released the following statement:
"The university has been notified by the NCAA, along with the Big Ten, that the NCAA is investigating allegations of play signal stealing by Michigan football. The university is fully cooperating with the Big Ten and NCAA. The investigation is ongoing and will not impact Saturday's game. At the University of Michigan, we are committed to the highest ethical and integrity standards for all members of our community."
That statement was followed by another from U-M athletic director Warde Manuel:
"I want to personally assure you that U-M Athletics will offer its complete cooperation to the NCAA in this matter. 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 expression I have of all coaches, staff, and student-athletes. Given the ongoing investigation, I'll have no further comments at this time."
Michigan State University interim president Teresa Woodruff also responded to the investigation into Michigan football with a statement, which reads:
"As we look forward to the football game this Saturday, we are chagrined by the news of the NCAA investigation and we echo the Big Ten Conference's commitment to integrity. The allegations are concerning, but will be handled through the NCAA's processes. MSU has no further comment on that matter. The university is focused on supporting our own team and preparing campus for a safe game-day environment."
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended by the university for the first three games of the 2023 season amidst a separate investigation by the NCAA. Harbaugh was accused of lying to the NCAA during an investigation into Level-II recruiting violations, which drew a Level-I violation by the college athletics governing body. The alleged recruiting violations, which are considered minor, include Harbaugh meeting with recruits during a COVID dead period, using too many coaches in practice and watching player workouts on Zoom. The case surrounding those violations is expected to be heard after the 2023 season.
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