Michigan football sign-stealing scandal labeled “unprecedented”

The Michigan football sign-stealing scandal is one of one — no one has ever seen anything quite like this in the storied history of college football. That said, no one is quite sure what comes next for Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines as they pursue a Big Ten title and more this fall. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, this investigation is unprecedented and has a number of pending outcomes for Connor Stalions and the Maize and Blue.

Michigan football sign-stealing scandal labeled “unprecedented”

This morning, on College Gameday, ESPN writer Pete Thamel — who has done a lot of reporting on the Michigan football sign-stealing scandal — gave insight as to where things stand with the Wolverines right now.

“(Connor Stalions), of course, has been suspended with pay, as the NCAA investigates whether Michigan broke NCAA rules to steal signs,” Thamel said. “NCAA rules make it clear that both scouting the opposition in person and using electronics to steal signs, is illegal. ESPN reported this week that Stallions bought tickets to at least 35 games in 17 stadiums in the last three years, including at 12 of the 13 Big Ten schools.

“… For Michigan this year, looking ahead, it’s important context that this is all unprecedented. The NCAA has never investigated a sign-stealing probe of this scope,” Thamel continued. “The Big Ten, which has some autonomy here, has never had to contemplate actions in-season, against a team that has the ability to win a national title. So I think this week, looking ahead, the spotlight is going to shift to Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, who has the authority to rule a sportsmanship violation, and then they would have to get a Big Ten panel together to discuss the potential punishments to Michigan.

“Will that happen this week? No one’s sure,” he said. “As for Jim Harbaugh, this is another issue that he has to face. There are three major issues looming over the Michigan program right now. There’s the FBI investigation into former assistant Matt Weiss, and then there’s the recruiting scandal that’s unfolded this year and has already cost Jim Harbaugh three games, with a self-imposed suspension. Things are piling up at Michigan for Jim Harbaugh.”

With a lot going on in Ann Arbor right now, it still sounds like Michigan football will get a chance to finish the season. Still, it will be interesting to see how everything plays out down the stretch for Jim Harbaugh and his undefeated Wolverines.

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