Analyst raises concerns with Michigan football investigation

Earlier this week, ESPN analyst and talk show host Stephen A Smith had some strong takes on the Michigan football investigation, ones which led to some pretty serious backlash on social media and more. Recently, Smith decided to reel it in a bit, though he doubled down on his concerns regarding the investigation into Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines for alleged illegal sign-stealing, which he thinks could impact the College Football Playoff and Big Ten title race.

Analyst raises concerns with Michigan football investigation

Stephen A Smith is known for his passion for sports topics, though his take on Michigan football this week warranted some strong push-back from social media and other analysts. He backtracked a bit today, choosing his words more carefully, though he was steadfast in his concerns regarding the sign-stealing scandal and its impact on the CFP race this fall.

“In light of this scandal involving Michigan football, we know, we know what that’s been about,” Stephen A Smith said on his show, First Take. “I believe you cannot — I’m not saying they (Michigan football) are guilty of anything — we don’t know. It doesn’t look good.

“But I will say this: You’ve got to have an investigation and close this investigation before you put Michigan in a situation where they can ultimately win the Big Ten title and end up in the College Football Playoff,” he continued. “You can’t have this thing open-ended, with no resolution at all, and send Michigan to a College Football Playoff with this stuff still unresolved. That’s all I was trying to say. I’m not trying to place guilt on anybody. But you’ve gotta at least have the investigation and come to some level of closure.”

Stephen A Smith is not alone in his feelings about the Michigan football sign-stealing investigation. In fact, it was reported that Big Ten coaches and ADs, especially of rival schools, are pushing hard for some kind of in-season punishment for Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines before post-season play starts.

U-M President Santa Ono will meet with Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti this afternoon, so expect more clarity to follow.

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