New report reveals key detail in Michigan football investigation

Today, yet another report was released regarding Jim Harbaugh and the current NCAA-led Michigan football investigation into alleged illegal sign-stealing by suspended staffer Connor Stalions. In this new report, which comes from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, there is a key fact that all fans should be aware of: unless the Big Ten or CFP committee steps in before season’s end, the investigation will not be wrapped up before the Wolverines get a chance to finish the year.

New report reveals key fact in Michigan football investigation

If you’re a Michigan football fan, this new report from Pete Thamel should have you excited. Unless the Big Ten or College Football Playoff committee steps in before the season ends, it sounds like Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines will get a chance to have their potential Big Ten and national title runs.

Per Pete Thamel of ESPN, it is logistically impossible for the NCAA to finish its Michigan football investigation before the season ends — regardless of what is to happen with Jim Harbaugh and Connor Stalions in the meantime. Below are two crucial excerpts from Thamel’s Thursday afternoon report.

“The time frame of the NCAA’s investigation is uncertain, but multiple people familiar with NCAA investigation timelines have told ESPN that it’s logistically impossible for the Michigan case to play out before the end of the football season,” Thamel wrote.

“Once the NCAA investigation ends and a notice of allegations is sent, Michigan would have 90 days to respond, according to NCAA bylaws,” his report read. “That would mean if the investigation ended this week — which is virtually impossible — Michigan would not be required to respond until well after the College Football Playoff.

“Any action this season would have to come from the Big Ten, as the league has a sportsmanship policy that includes the authority for commissioner Tony Petitti to take disciplinary action.”

Wolverines may get a chance to finish the 2023 season despite sign-stealing scandal

So far, the Big Ten and CFP committee have shown no signs of stepping in and interfering with Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football this year. If that trend remains consistent, it sounds like the Wolverines will get a shot to conclude what they started — Michigan still has four regular-season games remaining, including massive matchups at Penn State and against Ohio State.

This weekend, Michigan football has a bye; however, the Wolverines’ second-to-last home game of the year will be next weekend when Purdue comes to town. For the time being, the sign-stealing news remains background noise for this year’s No. 2-ranked Michigan Wolverines.

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