The Timing NCAA "Investigation"
A lot of folks talking about the timing of the allegations and NCAA "investigation" (Greg Schiano complained that his 1993 playbook was downloaded by UM's NFL staff and can't understand how all 5 of their plays failed), and how it lines of with the "rivalry" game against MSU. I don't think Sparty is relevant and it has nothing to do with 1 game where UM is favored by more than 3 TD's.
However, and more interestingly, it's no secret that the NCAA has an axe to grind with Harbaugh and would love to see him off to the NFL - He has been perhaps the most outspoken critic of the NCAA model - pushing for satellite camps, player salary, player empowerment. As for the timing...Harbaugh was reportedly in discussiosn around a contract extension. This is not something that I have seen brought up, but find it quite "interesting" that this would become and issue as UM and Harbaugh were reportedly discussing an extensions.
Discuss....
October 19th, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^
We got parties going on in a half a dozen threads about this but our company’s not good enough for you, so you set up your own spotlight?
Sheesh.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:07 PM ^
I hear you man, but this is kind of a big deal for the game, the season, and the future of a great Michigan coach
October 19th, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^
It is difficult to under the timing. I hope we didn’t practice too long.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:13 PM ^
I bet things get SPICY soon if you know what I mean 😏. I don’t expect Harbaugh to coach Michigan in 2024. This combined with the previous recruiting violation, lack of signed extension, and interest in NFL. Signs points to a new 2024 coach.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:19 PM ^
You are really living up to your avatar today.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:31 PM ^
His real name is,"Nothing Positive Ever!"
October 19th, 2023 at 9:34 PM ^
Just my opinion. I am thankful for what Harbaugh has done in bringing the on the field product to the highest point in 26 years. The situations over the past 12 months just haven’t left a great taste in my mouth and I have a gut feeling he’s craving to go back to the nfl.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:41 PM ^
With most coaches I'd agree with the generally douchey negative Toby here.
Harbaugh is a quirky dude and this might actually make him more likely to stay, purely out of spite towards the NCAA and on principle.
I felt with a National Title, he would be able to leave to the Bears (good fit there - his old team) and leave UM in good hands (Sheronne as HC and son or Hart as OC). But poking Harbaugh and calling him a cheater...he might just stick around to stick it to the NCAA for a decade!
October 19th, 2023 at 10:20 PM ^
I upvoted you, but Bears =/= good fit. For anyone. They're an abomination.
October 19th, 2023 at 10:05 PM ^
Why are you the way that you are?
October 19th, 2023 at 10:06 PM ^
Most people's "guts" are full of dog shit. Yours would be no different, had you any.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:24 PM ^
Back up the brinks truck, make Harbaugh the highest paid coach and keep him as a giant middle finger to the NCAA
October 20th, 2023 at 4:38 AM ^
It's Michigan and especially Michigan under the Warde Manuel. They'll offer him his original contract and his choice of lube for when the ncaa comes to town.
October 20th, 2023 at 9:41 AM ^
I think Harbaugh signs for life. For the university he loves, and to stick it to the NCAA for every day they still exist, because I think he stays coaching longer than the NCAA has days left as an organization.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:16 PM ^
Stupid all around. Everyone scouts their opponents. Unless you have a digital camera with a staffer doing a selfie saying: hey yall! Just here stealing signs and cheating…there’s no case. A staffer went to a football game? Gasp. He had a phone? Gasp. It’s already being recorded by dozens of devices all game? The horror! So damn dumb. Try to figure out how to beat UM on the field and stop screaming for your mom when your brother punches your shoulder. Good lord.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:23 PM ^
Good lord is what my wife says when I act up so I know you mean business
October 20th, 2023 at 3:39 AM ^
Exactly.
Basically everyone in the stadium with a phone, so everyone, is now a suspect for the criminal offence of stealing signs.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:18 PM ^
Never turn a 1 day story into a 3 day. Obviously the ncaa jizz lickers read this blog. Rush for 500 yds Saturday and call 1 defensive play (blitz)!!!!
October 19th, 2023 at 9:23 PM ^
I would make him the highest paid sports coach in history, college or pro, and announce it tomorrow.
October 20th, 2023 at 3:37 AM ^
That would be the dumbest thing ever. Emotional maturity is lacking on this board. God help us all. Yikes!
October 20th, 2023 at 7:47 AM ^
I think you might be the dumbest thing ever
October 20th, 2023 at 8:58 AM ^
Posters an obvious troll and or shit stirrer.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:23 PM ^
I know it's a bit vulgar, but can we please refer to the NCAA as the dickless neckbeard rat fucks? I'd like strict adherence to this rule. Frankly, I find their actions to be offensive and lacking of any decency so referring to them as such seems to be warranted.
October 20th, 2023 at 12:54 AM ^
Ok but using the acronym dnrf in the future
October 19th, 2023 at 9:26 PM ^
I don't normally go tinfoil hat but I do love a good conspiracy.
First of all, until proven otherwise, I am definitely operating under the assumption that someone from MSU was the original source of the story.
They get called by the Big Ten Wednesday night (for some reason) to be told, and then suddenly it's in the news the next day? Three days before our game with them?
Yeah, they wanted this out there. They contemplated using it as a way of getting out of the game, that's why they wanted everyone to know.
Now I know what you're thinking. Saying "they might have stolen our signs, we're afraid that means our players will get hurt" makes them look like idiots. Sure, but they're the idiots who thought of it, so they don't realize they look like idiots. And they wanted to make sure everyone knew that not only are their players now in danger, but they're going to be courageous and face the Big Bad Sign Stealers.
And yes, of course the NCAA* is doing whatever it can to target Harbaugh, I don't think I need to elaborate on that. So yes, they wanted to disrupt his contract extension talks.
Fight me!
*Sorry, per MeanJoe's new directive I meant the dickless neckbeard rat fucks.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:45 PM ^
The description I saw said that 2 of the teams Michigan played (past tense) this year thought that Michigan was stealing their signs. That would eliminate State as one of the accusers.
It would also make no sense. Why in the world Michigan risk a cheating scandal to steal signs of any school they have played this year? No one thought any of them had a chance to beat Michian.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:50 PM ^
Big Ten called State Wednesday.
State called reporters Wednesday.
Story is in news Thursday.
See?
October 19th, 2023 at 9:54 PM ^
As for the second half of your comment, while I am not saying I think Michigan is guilty, I will spin for you the "why" they would do it, since you asked.
Successful people who get to the highest levels are often psychopaths, especially in football. They want ANY edge they can get. It's never enough. Same with billionaires. They want more money. They don't need it at all. Why do they want it? BECAUSE THEY WANT IT!!!!!
October 19th, 2023 at 9:54 PM ^
I don’t think Michigan did this. It doesn’t make sense. Harbaugh released an unequivocal denial. There has been no visual evidence that Michigan has other teams stuff downloaded. They have a very good defense but they are not running other teams routes for them or getting an insane amount of pressure.
I genuinely don’t think this happened, I think the NCAA bought a line of shit from two pissed off OSU guys and are literally going to have to apologize to UM.
October 20th, 2023 at 3:43 AM ^
I'll bet you donuts to dollars that it won't play out like that.
And Harbaugh's statement was anything but unequivocal. He merely said that he didn't know anything about it.
October 19th, 2023 at 10:46 PM ^
Why does MSU get called anyway?
You don't have proof of anything or at least haven't completed your bullshit investigation and yet our name is in your mouth to other schools? Fuck straight off.
October 19th, 2023 at 11:17 PM ^
They are already trying to walk that back.
October 20th, 2023 at 5:11 AM ^
Why do Michigan's upcoming opponents (including MSU) get called?
So if there is any truth to it, they have warning and an opportunity to change their signals. That part of it makes sense.
October 20th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^
Saying "they might have stolen our signs, we're afraid that means our players will get hurt" makes them look like idiots.
It does, but not for the reason you think. Rather, because their program has done nothing but twist ankles and necks on the bottom of every pile for 15 years and just last year injured two of our players in the tunnel after the game.
October 20th, 2023 at 12:28 PM ^
That was not lost on me, and it does add another level of amusement. But the more salient point here is still that they became physically afraid for their safety because we know their plays.
What you pointed out is their hypocrisy. I'm pointing out their idiocy.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:38 PM ^
The ncaa had to buy a new axe because they can no longer grind the old one
The Michigan Money Canon needs to go to Taylor Swift and have her say that the ncaa sucks and Michigan is her favorite team
October 19th, 2023 at 10:07 PM ^
I forgot that they existed.
I shake it off.
October 19th, 2023 at 9:45 PM ^
score 100
October 19th, 2023 at 10:09 PM ^
It was Joel Klatt stealing signs for us.
Dude loves us.
October 20th, 2023 at 3:47 AM ^
Yes!! He and Gus both do! LOL
October 20th, 2023 at 8:56 AM ^
I look forward to Klatt's take, because I think he'll tell the NCAA off on our behalf, especially as, imo, the details of this story look shakier the longer it goes on.
October 19th, 2023 at 10:28 PM ^
I'm wondering if this could turn out to be a short term positive for us.
1. Players already felt like Harbaugh got a raw deal on hamburgergate and rallied behind him. This is a Dantonio-esque "Michigan vs the world" moment that can rally the team again.
2. this can take pressure off the team as the media aims at Harbaugh instead of things like "what is wrong with Edwards/Corum".
3. perhaps most importantly this creates paranoia for our opponents. Now they need to consider inplementing new signs before they play us. Perhaps even switch it up during the game. We live rent free in their heads now. Less time to practice other stuff and perhaps we see some confusion/time outs/delay of games and/or less "hurry up offense". All of which benefit us
October 19th, 2023 at 11:19 PM ^
I don’t think teams are going to change their signals because everyone knows this investigation is complete bullshit and everybody pretending that it’s real is only doing it because they want an excuse for getting their ass kicked by Michigan. We don’t know other teams signs anymore that other teams know ours. This shit is completely fake.
October 19th, 2023 at 11:28 PM ^
Could someone link the “vast network” hoodie site. I want to join the party and think every Michigan fan should show up to the game Saturday with some type of clothing or sign indicating that they are part of the vast network
October 19th, 2023 at 11:37 PM ^
I, for one, am happy about the timing. If this was going to be a thing, I’d rather it happen now, before PSU and OSU, rather than after. If the NCAA broke this in Jan, those losers would claim it was all rigged etc. Now, the allegations are public, they can do whatever they need to protect their signs, and we can still kick their butts.
October 20th, 2023 at 5:27 AM ^
The focus of the investigation is now on a low level staffer, a retired marine captain. This is insane. The axe to grind theory is evident.
October 20th, 2023 at 9:04 AM ^
Now I'm starting to think osu was stealing signs from Don Brown. It makes perfect sense.
October 20th, 2023 at 9:23 AM ^
Critics of Harbaugh and U-M say that the NCAA cannot police every wrong doings that happen at the NCAA level from all programs, but they sure are policing everything minor Michigan is ALLEGEDLY doing. You mean to tell me that the NCAA cannot "police" any of the hundreds of illegal things the SEC did prior to NIL? It feels like people are already giving a guilty verdict towards Harbaugh and Michigan even though this is just an investigation right now.
I was listening to the 97.1 morning show this morning with Jansen and Stoney, and boy I am starting to believe Stoney is a heavy leaner in MSU sports. All he kept bringing up was "If Michigan did this and if Michigan did that" scenarios, but when the Mel Tucker accusations came out, in which they were proven to be true in so many ways, all he could do is point the possibilities at Brenda doing illegal and immoral things.