Michigan Football Sign-Stealing Scandal Takes Wild Turn, as School Accuses Rival Ohio State of Colluding Against Them

Paul Sancya/AP

Amid the NCAA’s investigation into alleged sign-stealing, the University of Michigan football team has accused several rival schools of doing the same.

In mid-October, the NCAA and Big Ten Conference announced Michigan was being investigated for stealing the play signs of its opponents. At the center of this investigation was university staffer Connor Stalions, who reportedly purchased tickets for more than 30 off-campus games over the last three years. Sources then revealed that Stalions was at the head of an expansive sign-stealing operation that included schedules of games to attend and a five-figure budget to support it. Some have even speculated Stalions went undercover on the sidelines of games to learn the signs of the Wolverines’ future opponents.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has denied having any knowledge of the operation. Last Friday, Stalions resigned from his position as football analyst for the university.

As of Wednesday, the writing seems to be on the wall and Michigan is expected to face some sort of discipline. Harbaugh will likely be suspended.

Now, the university is attempting to make the case that it’s not alone. Sources told ESPN on Tuesday evening that Michigan sent evidence to the Big Ten of Ohio State and Rutgers stealing its signs in 2022. According to those sources, the rival schools then sent that information to Purdue ahead of its Big Ten championship game against Michigan. The Wolverines went on to beat Purdue 43-22.

The conference has forwarded that evidence to the NCAA. Regardless of what the NCAA does with the information, it’s unlikely to impact the ruling against Michigan.