*ichigan

ANN ARBOR IS A WHORE

Legal Scenario

• *ichigan is playing Opponent State University.
• *ichigan defensive coordinator, looking through his binoculars, notices Opponent State University staffer signaling his QB.
• Opponent State University staffer mimics the motions of putting on boots.
• *ichigan defensive coordinator realizes a bootleg play is coming, calls for the appropriate blitz to counter it

This is perfectly legal sign-stealing. It's not against the rules.

Illegal Scenario

• In preparation for their game against Opponent State University later in the year, *ichigan sends a spy to their games and their practices to do reconnaissance.
• *ichigan spy uses electronic equipment to record the entire Opponent State University sideline.
• *ichigan later goes over the footage with a fine-tooth comb and now has a blueprint not only of Opponent State University's signaling system, but the entirety of their operations.

This, on the other hand, is a violation of multiple NCAA regulations:

• In-person scouting of future opponents is not allowed.
• Sign-stealing via electronic recording equipment is not allowed.

This scenario is exactly what that Michigan is accused of doing, and "plausible deniability" won't protect Harbaugh, as he is responsible for whatever happens within his football program whether he is fully aware of the violations or not.

Sad Reality

*ichigan actually used these illegal tactics against perennial losing teams like Indiana, Northwestern, Nebraska, Illinois, and Michigan State. They were so insecure in their coach and players, that they felt the need to employ a United States Marine to do two things:

• Record opponent's games personally, or...
• Pay somebody else to record opponent's games when the Marine was unable or unwilling to attend the games. On top of that...
• He paid somebody else to record these games using his personal Venmo account and did not make the transactions private.
• Using Venmo to pay off illegal activities may drag this scandal into a RICO charge, but it probably won't because its just college football.

Additionally, the *ichigan agent's financial records show that this has been going on since 2020. Tickets were bought for at least 30 games and were purchased for both sides of the field behind the coaching bench.