The Michigan Wolverines and QB JJ McCarthy knocked off the Alabama Crimson Tide in a thrilling overtime College Football Playoff semifinal game on Monday.
All year long, Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan program has been clouded by a sign stealing scam, and there were plenty of Alabama fans that accused the Wolverines of cheating to help secure the massive victory.
In November, Michigan became embroiled in an alleged sign-stealing scheme that involved impermissible, in-person scouting of opponents going back as long as three seasons.
Both the NCAA and the Big Ten Conference, of which Michigan is conducted an intense investigation. Coach Jim Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of any kind of improper scouting scheme in his program.
Even before the investigation was complete, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, who has had the job for about six months after a career in Major League Baseball and television, decided to take more immediate action: He banned Harbaugh from coaching in the team’s final three regular-season games, including a critical matchup at Penn State who was ranked No. 9 in the country at the time.
Yet even without Harbaugh, the Michigan Wolverines prevailed.
Ahead of the Rose Bowl matchup vs. Alabama, Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban was asked if he was concerned with potential sign stealing before facing the Wolverines.
Saban didn’t hesitate with his response, making it clear he didn’t believe it was going to be an issue.
No, we’re really not concerned about that.” Saban said. “Integrity in the game I think is really, really important. Our team has had every opportunity to prepare for this game like they have for every other game. I think especially when you’re a no-huddle team, you’ve got to adapt and adjust how you communicate with the quarterback. Hopefully one day we’ll get to the NFL system where you can just talk to the guy in his helmet. I think that would be a lot better. For now, we just have to adapt to how we communicate with the quarterback and change it up and try not to put our players at a disadvantage.”
Michigan Wolverines Staffer, Coach Fired Over Sign Stealing Scam
A former Michigan staffer is accused of devising an in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme. The staffer, Connor Stallions, was suspended then later resigned. Linebackers coach Chris Partridge was also fired in the aftermath, after he didn’t “abide by the University directive not to discuss an ongoing NCAA investigation with anyone associated with the Michigan football program or others,” per his termination letter.
Ultimately, the investigation concluded Stalions reportedly refused to cooperate with any internal or external investigations or discussions. He was suspended with pay by Michigan on Oct. 20 after the NCAA launched an investigation into his alleged ticket purchases at several Big Ten stadiums ahead of those teams’ games against the Wolverines over the past three seasons.
Stalions reportedly refused to cooperate with any internal or external investigations or discussions. He was suspended with pay by Michigan on Oct. 20 after the NCAA launched an investigation into his alleged ticket purchases at several Big Ten stadiums ahead of those teams’ games against the Wolverines over the past three seasons.
Michigan QB JJ McCarthy Says 80 Percent Of Teams Steal Signs In College Football
While Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines have been painted as the villain this season, sign stealing in college football is widely common and apparent according to Michigan’s QB J.J. McCarthy.
When asked about the scandal at a recent press conference, McCarthy gave a shockingly honest response to his feelings on the controversy.
“ I also feel like it’s so unfortunate because, you know, there’s probably, I don’t want to say a crazy number, but I’d say a good number, 80% of teams in college football steal signs,” McCarthy said. “It’s just a thing about football.
“You know, it’s been around for years. We actually had to adapt because in 2020 or 2019 when Ohio State was stealing our signs, which is legal. We had get up to the level that they were at, and we had to make it an even playing field.”
The Michigan Wolverines makes a good point, This isn’t anything new in college football circles and likely why Saban downplayed the issue when asked. JJ McCarthy got a nice little jab in at his rival, Ohio State, too.
His response may turn into further speculation about Michigan stealing signs and maybe they were — but so were a lot of other college football teams in all likelihood.