Michigan Friday: Nebraska Wanted Out

I remember this as it was in the news for like 3 days maybe 5 years ago.  The former AD of Nebraska Cornhuskers recently confirmed he did meet with the Big 12 commissioner on returning to the Big 12.  He said, "it died on the vine".  You think?  Do you have any idea what the difference in payouts is between a Big 12 school and a Big 10 school? AI tells me for the 2024-2025 school year, the Big 12 payout was $35M per team.  The Big 10 for the same time period was $63.3M.   Not a hard decision.  

Speaking of that, I wish they would've left.  The Big 10 expected they were getting a football powerhouse and its been just the opposite.  In fact, if we are selling off Big 10 schools, the Big 12 could take Rutgers and Maryland as well.   That invite is still head scratching to me.  If I remember correctly, the Big Ten commissioner was excited about bringing in the New York City TV audience in by inviting Rutgers.  How is that working out?  The lack of leadership and decision making at the Big 10 and NCAA is just shocking.  

Speaking of  NCAA leadership, they took another hit when former Ferris State QB and current Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss won his 6th year of eligibility in a Mississippi court.   The NCAA needs to keep their nose out of college football.  There needs to be a Football Commissioner for the Power 4 that can make rulings and set a salary cap.  The NCCA is no longer a valid organization for big time college football.   The NCAA is expected to appeal the decision on Chambliss. 

• UCLA visits Ann Arbor for a body clock game at 12:45 on Saturday.  At least they get home earlier.

• I know this is a few days late but I love the Tigers signed Justin Verlander.  I hope he has a great year, Tigers Win the World Series, and he calls it a career. 

• Jim Harbaugh and former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel attended a Lakers game together.  This is an interesting relationship.

Michigan Tuesday: Not a Quiet Tuesday

I thought today might be a bit quiet with Michigan coming off the MSU win and the Boilermakers coming to town.  Then news starts to break last night and none of it really good.  

-Justice Hayes seems to be hurt again and the rumor is a broken foot.  He has been seen in a walking boot.  Sherrone on his radio show, said he didn't know if he would play this weekend or not.  The good news if its not broken and just a turned ankle, he can miss Purdue, there is a bye, and a trip to Northwestern before Maryland and the other school. 

-Michigan and Sherrone have dropped their appeal against the NCAA.  Hard to know what the reason to drop this now might be, but after Sherrone serves his last game suspension next season and Michigan pays the fine this should be over.   I'm all for putting this to bed but it does come off a little soft to drop the appeal without something in return from the NCAA. 

If Hayes stayed healthy all year, I think he would've been in NYC for the Heisman ceremony.  

• Speaking of Hayes, he was co-Big 10 Offensive Player of the Week.  Rolder won the defensive player of the week!  

• New Michigan Point Guard Elliot Cadeau makes Cousy Award Watchlist

• Sherrone says they are being careful with Rod Moore's knee and he has been practicing some and working his way back.

• Will learn more about Sullivan's injury this week 

• Someone is going to hire Hartline from OSU this cycle, correct?

Michigan Tuesday: This is Steve Shaw

When I heard Barham's targeting call had not been reversed, I was about to write a scatling post on the Big Ten and its commissioner.  That would've been a mistake as the Big Ten agreed the tackle wasn't targeting and the commissioner and VP both appealed to the NCAA head of officials Steve Shaw to reverse the call.  He of course did not. 

Who is Steve Shaw?: (written by AI) Steve Shaw is the College Football Officiating (CFO) National Coordinator of Officials and the NCAA Football Secretary-Rules Editor, overseeing officiating and rules for college football. He also serves as the secretary-rules editor for the NCAA Football Rules Committee, a role critical to the sport's competition rules and policies. Shaw assumed the national role in March 2020 after working as the coordinator for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Sun Belt Conference.

Steve, I'm sure you don't ever take questions on your decision and hide behind your NCAA wall, but I have a few for you:

1.Targeting was not called on the field and the booth decided it was targeting after a review.  Do you believe that inconsistency is a reason the tackle wasn't a clear targeting call?

2. Would you agree the proper call would have been roughing the passer and not targeting?  But since roughing the passer is not something you can review, your officials made the targeting call instead?

 3. Would you agree the hit was ruled targeting on the impact of the collison and not the rules of targeting?  For example, he did not lead with the crown of his helmet, he did not "launch", yes it was a face mask to face mask hit.  

4. Are you protecting your officials with not over turning a bad call?  The obvious answer is yes. 

5. Do you have a ruling on the blatantly missed review of the New Mexico WR dropping the ball on the sideline but the review officials did not stop the game?

6. Would you agree that your officials gave New Mexico a free drive and 7 points and was way too involved or not involved at all in the game during that drive?

7. Did anyone above you at the NCAA ask you not to approve the appeal on targeting?

The NCAA and its Mob like ways of doing business are at it again. 

• Speaking of the NCAA and Mob like ways, there continues to be a lot of smoke around a former Michigan player lying to the NCAA and gathering evidence in a non-legal way and sending it to the NCAA and reporters in the NCAA's case against Michigan.  Of course the NCAA doesn't care how it gets evidence to rule on any matter, but the legal system sure does.

• A quick look back at how former Michigan players did at their new school after entering the transfer portal:  Joey Velazquez is a former Wolverine, who played both Baseball and Football at Michigan before entering the transfer portal before Michigan's trip to the Rose Bowl to play Alabama.  Later Joey transferred to Ohio State and played in all 16 games that next year on special teams.  At Michigan he was a LB and was coached by former Michigan coach Chris Partridge.  

 

Michigan Monday: Time To Move On

Michigan is going to appeal, as they should.  The fine was excessive but manageable, the suspension of Sherrone for another game next season is also over the top.  If they got that game back and maybe save a few million, it would be worth it.   

I'm a die hard Michigan fan and I still don't get what the big deal is here.   The SEC was illegally paying players for decades and nobody cared.  Michigan had a rogue staff member run a sign stealing program.  Michigan didn't pay for any of the tickets or travel in his network.  He funded it directly.  He should be fired and given a show clause, which he was.  Case closed. 

If a fan does the same thing and sends iPhone video of the Penn State coaches to Ohio State.  Not a crime.  The rule that was broken here was that Connor Stalions worked for Michigan in a low level position. 

1. Sign Stealing is not illegal

2. Having staff attend other games is.  

What a level headed person would think:

1. Why wouldn't other teams change their signs every game?

2. The NCAA was way late on wireless helmet communication 

3. Do you think Michigan is the only program doing this?  - I would guess every major program had some type of sign stealing protocol. 

The NCAA runs Jim out of town because he bought a kid a Cheeseburger and forgot about it and had a rogue staffter run a sign stealing program without his knowledge.  He is given a 14 year Show Cause penalty, which means absolutely nothing. 

I wonder which will last longer: The NCAA or Jim's Show Clause?

Funny how the NCAA moved to wireless helmet communication, right after this over blown scandal. 

Player safety, post season bans, removing championships or wins are just rival fan bases crying over sour milk.  The NCAA is a lame duck organization and this penalty is a joke.  Time to move on to the season and play real football.    

Michigan Friday: Back Early To Review the NCAA Hammer

The NCAA today levied a punishment against the Michigan program for stealing signs from other programs.  Every rival fan base has been waiting for this deal for 2 years and I'm guessing they're disappointed that the expected hammer is more of a paper cut. 

Let's review the penalty as we know it:

• Loss of post season revenue: which is estimated at $20+ Million for two years.   That is probably an hours worth of work fund raising to the alumni and supporters that can bankroll that.  

• +1 game suspension for Sherrone, which will happen in 2026.  He is already taking a two game suspension this year.  Not sure I understand this one, with all the Harbaugh game suspensions, this one seems a bit over the top.  But your just suspending a guy for 4 hours on a Saturday.  Which really isn't a big deal.

• 10 Year Show Penalty for Harbaugh - He doesn't work in college football any longer.   Not a penalty. 

• 8 Year show for Conner - He will be fine working in other areas of football. 

• 3 year for Denard - This is tough for him and I hope he finds other work.  I would love to see him get a job in the NFL. 

• Chris Partridge did not get a show clause and probably should not have been fired from Michigan. An over reaction from Warde.

• 25% reduction in official visits 

• 14-week prohibition on recruiting communication 

• 4 years probation

This is more of Jimmy, Sherrone, and Denard not helping the NCAA make their case against Michigan then the sign stealing penalty.  The NCAA has zero power to get people to talk and when they don't cooperate, the NCAA restricts the way they can make a living with show clauses.   What a great organization. 

This is all very manageable and not that big of a penalty.  Michigan still has a National Championship and our head coach misses 3 games the next 2 years.  

It's over folks, time to move on to the season!  

Michigan Tuesday: NCAA Needs A Plumber

The NCAA prides itself on being a organization that doesn't comment on penalties or the insane out of date process they go through to punish an organization.  Unless we are talking about University of Michigan and specifically Jim Harbaugh.   The NCAA is an organization ruled by clowns that thinks we are still living in the 1970's.  They have very little power and to show you they still have a miniscule amount, they overuse it.  They're like a guy that doesn't ever leave the gym so he can gain some much muscles but can barely walk. 

Just to recap for you.  Jim Harbaugh bought a recruit a hamburger, forget he did that, told the NCAA he didn't and they found a receipt that he did.  Michigan also hired a military code breaker to be able to read the other teams signs.  He then sent his friends to other games to record iphone footage of assistant coaches signing in plays, so he could work non-stop and be the best in the business.   Those are the crimes against the NCAA, Michigan is charged with.  

Harbaugh is in the NFL and they can't touch him.  

Connor Stalions is coaching in high school football and they can't touch him. 

So who is the target now?  Sherrone Moore the head coach of Michigan Football who's crime was deleting messages off his phone.   

So to recap:  Man buys kid cheeseburger, Man out works everyone and breaks a code, Man deletes messages on his personal phone.   What the F are we doing here?

The leaky NCAA Organization is now in negotiations with Michigan on penalties, even though Michigan took a number of them during the 2023 season to put this damn thing to bed.   Sherrone will now serve a 2 game suspension (CMU and Nebraska) and I'm sure there will be some other minor penalties like recruiting restrictions and probably a fine.

What's funny about this situation is, college football is a better game and finally embracing technology after this entire soap opera.   College football programs now use the in helmet communication systems because Connor out smarted everyone in the sport. 

I have to tip my hat to U of M.  I would've fought this BS into the court system and made the NCAA look like the fools they are.  Sometimes its best to cut your loses and just make something go away.  Time for this story to go away forever. 

Michigan Monday: Game Week and the Story that will never Die

There are lots of bad things in this world.  There are bad people, bad business, corrupt politicians, the list goes on and on.   As long as there have been people walking the earth there are bad people trying to take advantage of good ones.  

This brings me to the NCAA and how they have handled Spygate.  What type of organization, leaks information non-stop during their investigation, has zero legal authority to speak to anyone, and continually tries to derail a season on purpose?  That was the NCAA last season.  You either cooperate with the NCAA or you don't.  They can't force you to do anything.  You either share your phone or you don't.  If you don't they will make it very difficult for you to do your job.   The NCAA has targeted Jim Harbaugh ever since he didn't remember buying a kid a cheeseburger and the NCAA found a receipt that he did.  

Most of that stuff happened last season or during COVID.  So let's fast forward to now.  The NCAA leaks the proposed NOA against Michigan to ESPN a few weeks ago.  Since there was nothing going on in sports, that led to 2 days of media attention.  Now, Connor Stalions Netflix documentary is due to release on Tuesday.  It's also Game Week to start to start the 2024 season.  Guess what the NCAA did?  They sent the official NOA to Michigan on Sunday.   Wow, what a coincidence?  Alanis Morissette should write a song about the NCAA. 

There is a old saying when something is leaked and they are trying to identify who leaked it.  Who did it benefit?  Michigan has taken a hit everytime Pete Thamel gets behind a keyboard and types out a tweet.  

BTW, the notice being offically delivered barely made a ripple in the media.  Connor's lawyer has already released a statement and we get to hear from the man himself on Tuesday.  I'm not a huge fan of the Untold series as they have really missed the mark on a few of them.  The Urban Meyer Florida Gators one was terrible.  

The NCAA is an old "Karen" yelling at kids to get off her lawn.  Their time has passed and they have barley have any control left with NIL and these Super Conferences.  It's time to shut them down and start from scratch.  

Did someone mention Game Week?  It really is happening!  I expect Sherrone to do his first Monday game week press conference and the permanent head coach today.   The biggest question remains, who is the starter at QB?

Too early look at Fresno State:

Last Season: 9-4

Best Win: Purdue and Arizona State

Worst Loss: 18-42 vs. San Jose State 

Coach Tedford is a highly regarded head coach but he had to step down a few months ago due to health reasons.  That leaves Tim Skipper in charge.  

2023:

Pass: 282 yards per (21st)

Run: 105 yards per (118th)

Points scored: 30 (46th)

Points against: 24 (56th)

Fresno likes to air it out and I expect they want to test the Michigan secondary on Saturday night.  They will have a hard time stopping Michigan's defensive line and pass rushers so expect a quick throw passing game.  Hard to know what Fresno has this season but this has been a solid program and a game not to take lightly if your a Wolverine player, coach, or fan. 

• Nice to have college football back this weekend.  I think some leagues missed a window to put better games up when football fans are just "jonesing" for more football.   For example there are a ton of Thursday night games this week.  

• Vegas was way off in pretty much every line this weekend.  Even Vegas has a hard time predicting what will happen early in the season with all these transfers and quick turn programs. 

• Former Michigan player Pat Kuglar has gotten arrested and the allegations are not good. 

Michigan Thursday: The Clown Show Continues

It's amazing to me that the NCAA continues to want to look like a fool when it comes to these penalties.  They are still litigating Burger-Gate when nobodys cares about that anymore.  If you are new around here, let me give you the headlines of Burger-Gate. 

-Harbaugh buys a cheeseburger for a recruit on a visit to Ann Arbor during COVID. 

-Harbaugh says he didn't remember or didn't purchase said cheeseburger. 

-NCAA finds an expense report on it with a cheeseburger purchase.  

-Harbaugh says he didn't recall that purchase. 

-NCAA asked for Harbaugh's phone, he declines 

-Harbaugh sits out the first 3 games of a National Championship season because of that cheeseburger. 

-Harbaugh will not negotiate with the NCAA on further penalties. 

-NCAA gives Harbaugh a 4 year show clause and a 1 year suspension if he comes back to college football. 

Clown Show is all you can call it.  In a million years the NCAA would not have given Harbaugh that penalty if he was still at Michigan.  All hell would have broken loose  This is a lame attempt at the clown show trying to show power over a coach that would not play their game.  My question about the 4 year show clause is,  will the NCAA be around to see it?  They are losing control of College Football every minute.  Just to recap, this is all because Harbaugh didn't recall buying a recruit a cheeseburger.   How many millions was spent on this?  Clown Show.

• Reports are starting to leak that Orji is taking control over the QB battle with his dual-threat capabilities.  As long as my man can throw accurately, I'm all for it. 

• NFL Pre-Season officially kicks off tonight. 

Michigan Monday: Draft Status

I'm back and thank you for your patience while the family and I took a Mediterranean vacation.   I'm very excited  to share the count down to the new season for the defending National Champions with you! 

The rumor has been floating around that Michigan is expected to receive the official copy of the Notice of Allegations (NOA) from the NCAA regarding Spygate soon.  In another example of how journalism is dead, ESPN and Pete Thamel released "a draft" copy of  Michigan's NOA.  An argument could be made, why would you release a draft copy, when the final version maybe considerably different then this released version?

The reason Pete and ESPN do it, is because of clicks.  Accuracy no longer is a priority.  News lasts minutes not days or weeks.  Rivals is also reporting that draft ESPN copy is not updated or what Michigan has been reviewing.

The draft didn't have a ton of new information but one issue Michigan might have is the report stated that Sherrone deleted texts regarding Spygate when the news broke (prior to the investigation), but that he did submit his phone to the NCAA investigators and the texts were received.   Even though doing that is not a Level 1 violation, Sherrone could be hit with a multiple offender penalty after his suspension for Burger-gate.   Which could lead to another suspension.   I don't know how deleting messages prior to an investigation can be seen as a penalty. 

Most Michigan Insiders believe this version of the NOA didn't have a "smoking gun" and the worst possible penalty is probably a suspension or maybe a show clause.   A lot of the offenders are now in the NFL or moved on from Ann Arbor.   

My expectation is that the NCAA and Michigan are probably trying to negotiate a settlement prior to the final version of the NOA being released.  Neither side wants a long drawn out legal battle that would take years to litigate.  There is even questions if there will even be an NCAA in the next few years as the Conferences and Playoff Committee are starting to wrestle away power from the NCAA in college football.

• Michigan is expected to lose a 2025 WR commit in 3-star Philip Wright who is being heavily recruited by LSU and the Tigers are close to home. 

• Michigan recruit Andrew Marsh is expected to make a decision on 8/28.

• This is old news but Roman Wilson got injured in Steelers camp.

• While I was gone, Michigan also got a BBQ commit from 2026 4-star CB Brody Jennings from JAX, Florida.

Wolverine Wednesday: Thanks NCAA, Now Get Lost

Jim Harbaugh bought a kid a cheeseburger during COVID 4 years ago.  He didn't recall that purchase when the NCAA asked him about it. The NCAA found a receipt for said cheeseburger and now we are here.  So 4 years after the cheeseburger crime, The NCAA has put Michigan Football program on a 3 year probation, given 5 coaches Level 2 Show Clause, some recruiting restrictions, and a fine.  Everyone agreed to these terms except Jim Harbaugh who is now in the NFL and could care less about NCAA and its cheeseburger rules.  By the way, nobody cares.  This was a blip in sports news and will be dead today. 

What does this mean for Conner Stalions and his vacuum re-sale program? Who the hell knows.  The NCAA hasn't even sent Michigan a notice of allegations yet, which means we are probably 4-5 years out from them adjudicating on something that has already been adjudicated. 

• Denard has been suspended indefinitely 

• Michigan Basketball and Football seem to be doing good work in recruiting circles but no commits yet.  

• Keep an eye on St. Mary Guard Aidan Mahaney (who is now in the portal) and Michigan. Aidan averaged nearly 14 points a game and considered one of the best guards in that conference. Yes, Please.

• On Saturday, I really hope Will Johnson, Donovan Edwards, and Mason Graham are all healthy in street clothes helping coach one of the teams.

Michigan Tuesday: Portal Day

College Football is at an interesting cross roads right now.  The NCAA continues to investigate Hamburgers and Ticket Brokers, while they give FBI investigations and Happy Meals full of cash a slap on the wrist.  

The Portal has become college football's eBay with top tier QB's getting between $1M-$2M dollars.  Former Detroit 5-Star QB Dante Moore who played 1 year at UCLA is reportedly down to Oregon, FSU, Michigan, and Miami.  Guess which team is not coming with a bag full of money?

UNC picked up a QB in the portal a week ago and yesterday was the first day players could officially jump into the portal. I'm sure it wasn't tampering. 

Ohio State had 11 players enter into the portal on Monday, including their starting QB who has a year of starting under his belt and was 11-1.  Maybe Ryan Day should be in the portal?

Alabama had a QB jump into the portal as well.  He was the former starter at ND, who transferred to Bama, and is now in the portal in Lacrosse.  

Bowl Games as I mentioned yesterday are becoming nothing more than exhibitions.  Players with an NFL future don't want to play in these games.  Caleb Williams is going to risk a Jake Butt situation by playing at a MLB park at the Holiday Bowl?  With over 2000 players in the portal and your top talent going to the draft, who is left to play in these exhibitions?

There is no way in the world FSU and Georgia wants to play in the Orange Bowl.  They both feel disrespected and I can't imagine Brock Bowers is going to risk further injury by playing in it.  Talk about a Jake Butt situation, same position, same stadium, same Bowl Game. 

Michigan will have players going into the portal, but of course they don't want to miss this playoff run.  Expect some after the game and in the Spring window.

To recap the current college football situation:

✔ NCAA is a mess

✔ NIL is out of control 

✔ Transfer Portal has become eBay with over 2000 players in it 

✔ The CFP Committee left out the undefeated ACC Champion because of its roster 

✔ National Signing Day is 5 days before Christmas 

✔ Bowl Games have become exhibitions

✔ Rosters have been depleted with the portal and NFL entries 

✔ Michigan is the #1 team in the country 

I see one good thing on that check list.  

Michigan has offered a few players in the portal.  DT from Harvard Thor Griffith, DT from Penn Joey Slackman, and a DB from WKU Upton Stout.   Love the names and positions.  Yes, Please. 

• If you want to watch Michigan - IU basketball tonight, you have to have Peacock.  

• Michigan - OSU was the highest watched college football game of the year and beat #2 by over 9M viewers. 

• My thoughts on the Big Ten trophy presentation.  Jimmy having Tony give the award to Zak Zinter I thought diffused the situation.  Tony did shake Jimmy's hand.  Tony didn't speak and then left off the back of the stage.  That is a great show of leadership right there.  Maybe lets not hire a TV executive to run one of the most powerful conferences in sports. 

Michigan Thursday: While We're Waiting

If you're missing your weekly tradition of reading the Big Ten Weekend preview, it was posted earlier today. 

I'm really proud how Michigan is responding to the Big Ten and the NCAA during this scandal.  Yes, the media have overblown this situation but the NCAA and Tony 4T's from the Big Ten have welcomed those leaks. 

Michigan took its shot last night with a 10-page response to the Big Ten and Jimmy's lawyer came in with an 8-page response.  

To summarize the responses:

• Over scouting is very common and has happened to Michigan many times.  
• A lower-level staffer gave little to no competitive advantage to Michigan
• You can't punish Michigan on a rumor and not until the NCAA investigation is complete
• Harbaugh was not aware of this situation 
• The Big Ten commissioner does not have the power to suspend a coach under this matter
• Michigan has hired one of the most powerful law firms in the country 

Dan Wetzel has just put the entire 10-page response on twitter/X

Now the media is becoming more level headed and starting to report items in a fair manner. 

• Wake Forrest was having its game plans sent to it's opposition for 3 years and the NCAA did nothing. 

• A Michigan Law Professor gives his take in the Yale Journal on Regulation, that if this goes to court, the NCAA will lose on Anti-Trust laws, like they have in the past. 

If you're wondering if Michigan Football is focused this week, with all this off field sh*t?  Manny Diaz comes in to troll the Wolverines, while trying to fire up the fans in Happy Valley. 

Manny Diaz wants to troll Michigan with a signal joke. 😑

We'll see if he's laughing on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/PSyzvxGtS7

— Trevor Woods (@WoodsFootball) November 9, 2023

Wolverine Wednesday: Thank You CFP

The media and the internet love keeping the Connor story alive.  An internet joke of a photo and video of a guy that looks like Connor Stalions is on the sideline of the CMU - MSU dressed in Central Michigan staff gear with a sideline credential.   The internet has pretty much debunked this story for many reasons.

1. There are at least 2 guys on every staff that looks like Connor Stalions 

2. Connor is bald and this guy has hair 

3. No field pass was issued to a Connor Stalions.  One was issued to a Hugh Jazz. 😉

4. If you are going to quietly record a team signals, you don't dress up as a CMU staffer and do it from the opposing sidelines.  

5. CMU must love the coverage, because they should've just come out already and said that's Frankie (made up name) who is on our staff. 

6. Central's coach is very familiar with being mis-represented in a photo (hugging a dead shark!)

7. Michigan insiders are saying that a Harbaugh extension could be done very soon.  Which clearly contradicts the WSJ made up story from Sunday.  This is also a signal they don't believe the NCAA will hit Harbaugh too hard with any penalty from this nonsense. 

8. How are they going to prove it's Connor?  DNA evidence?

The case it could be him:

1. He is a big Corey Hart fan and loves wearing sunglasses at night

How many Connors can you find?

Central did have a nice win over Rocky Lombardi in his 18th year as a college QB and Northern Illinois last night in the snow of Mt. Pleasant. 

From the stupid stuff to the fun stuff.  The CFP did Michigan a huge favor last night and I personally can't thank them enough.  

Ohio State has some nice wins this season, over some very mediocre teams.  I'm not comparing them to Michigan's schedule as OSU strength of schedule to date is much better.   OSU doesn't have the toughest path to Ann Arbor either.   They face Rutgers this weekend, MSU, and Minnesota prior to their trip to Ann Arbor.   So, the odds are that OSU will be #1 when they roll into the Big House in a month. 

This just gives the Wolverines more motivation to play well the rest of the year.  In my opinion, this couldn't' have lined up any better.   Here is a little tip, don't sleep on Rutgers this weekend facing the #1 team in the nation at home.  Rutgers is far and away the best team Michigan has faced this year and if that dual-threat QB goes off and OSU is a little sleepy.  There could be a huge upset or at least too close for comfort game for the Buckeyes. 

• DPJ is coming home!  The Lions traded a 6th round pick for the talented former Wolverine WR. 

• UNLV update, they fell to 6-2 as they lost a competitive game to 7-1 Fresno State.

• Michigan Basketball commit Christian Anderson went for 29 points in Oak Hills season opener.

• The Raiders fired Josh McDaniel late last night after an embarrassing performance on MNF against the Lions.  Get ready for more Oakland is still in play memes.

• OSU RB Williams is out for the season with an injury.

• There is speculation that Kirk Ferentz did not approve of the firing of his son and this could be the final straw for him leaving Iowa after the season. 

Michigan Friday: The Happy Meal is missing some Nuggets

My one and only ask for this week was that it would be a quiet week.  That did not happen as every program in America tied itself to the sign stealing investigation and clearly Michigan was scouting them at some point.  Even Liberty was telling jokes on Twitter. 

The NCAA was reportedly in Ann Arbor yesterday but the assistant coaches were on the road recruiting.  By the way it's hard for the NCAA not to be in Ann Arbor when Jim Stapleton lives and works in A2.  Speaking of Stapleton, he is red hot at John U, and has threatened legal action.  

The way the media is covering this story and reporting every little nugget makes the situation look worse than the entire Happy Meal.  

What do we know that seems accurate:

• Connor Stalions is on Michigan's staff 
• Connor bought tickets for other people to attend Big Ten and other NCAA games 
• The assumed purpose was to record coaches' signals 
• A reasonable assumption is then those recordings were uploaded to some type of cloud share.  As you're not going to be able to email, 3.5 hours of coaching signals. 
• Someone in Connor's network flipped on him and showed the NCAA the cloud drive.
• Connor seems like a zealous Michigan Football junkie looking to make a name for himself with the Michigan coaches by working hard and crossing a line or two to show his value. 
• Connor has been on Michigan's sideline at every game holding paper.
• Connor's information might not be accurate as coaches change signs every week.

• Right now, there doesn't seem to be a path to Harbaugh, besides these things happening in his organization. 

• Yesterday it was revealed that the investigation into Michigan's former OC Matt Weiss cyber situation and this NCAA investigation are not related.  Though the Matt Weiss investigation continues and the FBI is assisting, which is not uncommon in any cybercrime situation. 

• Every NCAA Football program is trying to steal the other signals.  Every dumb story about TCU changing signals or doing dummy signals, is just plain lazy work by the media.  This happens every week at every game.   I don't care if you send a network of people or get the signs off TV, YouTube, or the coaches' tape, stealing signs is a part of college football. 

• Michigan Legal Twitter is on this and there seems to be NCAA Bylaws about allowing 3rd parties scouting.  The NCAA also considered changing this rule in 2021 because its outdated and gives little to no competitive advantage. Anyone with an iPhone can record coaches at a game now.  A fan could easily do this and send it to a coach.  

• The media is lazy and doesn't understand technology.  Journalists are paid for their stories, folks like Pete Thamel are paid on clicks.  Every time he runs with a little nugget, he turns it into Michigan is getting the death penalty.  Which drives more and more clicks.   The story about a 3rd party accessing a Michigan drive was interesting to me.  First off, if a 3rd party did that, it would be an actual crime committed by that 3rd party.  This goes back to my point about the one drive or drop box or whatever Connor was using for his network of nerds to upload the recordings. 

• The leaks from the NCAA are obviously trying to hurt Michigan.  I don't know Warde or know what he does every day, but I don't see any public facing leadership here.   You cannot tell me that the NCAA can leak all this information and Michigan has a gag order?  If Warde can't get these leaks to stop, close the old investigation, sign Harbaugh to new contract, and put Michigan in a better light with this investigation, it's time for a new AD at Michigan.   Santa I think you know what we want for Christmas!

Yes, the leaks and waterfall of new information every day is tiring and frustrating.  This is the world we live in, where investigative journalism is dead and Michigan Football anything drives eyeballs and clicks.  Peter Thamel is not Adam Schefter or Shams and will continue to throw nuggets until the story is too old or completely dead.  In between reports that Ole Miss QB's might be out due to a turf toe injury.  

Michigan Tuesday: Sign, Sign, everywhere a Sign

Blockin' out the scenery

Breakin' my mind

Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign?

The quiet didn't last long.  Pete Thamel from ESPN wrote another salacious article with more "leaked" information about the possibility of Connor Stalions buying tickets to a number of Big Ten Games, sending them to other people, and surveillance video shows them holding an iPhone.  That he had purchased the tickets with his personal credit card, even tickets on both sides of the OSU - PSU game but the seats went unfilled. 

First off, WARDE WAKE THE F' UP.  You better be on the phone with the NCAA on these intentional leaks and shut them down right now.  There is zero upside for Michigan to cooperate with this investigation if the NCAA continues to play it out in the media.  You have unlimited Michigan lawyers at your disposal, use them and tighten this up right now.  If you don't, it's time for you to find another job. 

Mgoblog did a very good piece last night.  

To me this is interesting and the NCAA considered changing the rule in 2021:

Rationale: The Board of Directors Infractions Process Committee requested that the Legislative Committee Modernization of the Rules Subcommittee focus its rules modernization efforts on identifying rules that no longer serve the needs of the membership and the 21st century student-athlete, and recommending modifications to or the elimination of such rules. Specifically, livestreams of intercollegiate competition and prerecorded game film are readily available in the digital age. The minimal competitive advantage gained by scouting future opponents in-person is outweighed by the monitoring and enforcement burdens of ensuring compliance with the legislation.

Let's look at the gray areas first and then the potential penalty. 

You have to follow the expense reports to find who is at fault here.  If Connor funded this himself with his buddy network, I think Michigan's exposure is much less.  If Michigan was funding this by reimbursing Connor for tickets and travel costs for his buddy network to these "other" Big Ten games, then Michigan might get hit with a harder penalty. 

Is Connor's buddy network a representative of Michigan Football?  If they are paid or expenses taken care of, you can make the argument they are.  If they are not getting reimbursed (outside free tickets), maybe they can be considered an overly zealous fan. 

Reports are that Connor loves Michigan Football and would do anything to be on staff and probably believed he wasn't breaking any rules by sending his buddy network to games. 

Potential Penalty:

There are fans worried about a Post Season ban this year.  There is little to no chance that will happen.  Michigan has not even been officially notified of a rules violation and has 90 days to respond.  These types of situations take years to resolve.   The Kansas FBI thing just got settled.

Main Points for Michigan Fans to consider:

• Was this scouting activity funded by Michigan Football outside of Connor?
• The NCAA is already on record saying this rule might be obsolete. 
• Everybody at games is holding an iPhone 
• Connor's probably going to get a show cause by the NCAA at some point 
• The NCAA is clearly after Harbaugh by leaking these stories to the likes of Thamel and Yahoo's Ross Dellenger.  Since Michigan can't respond, the NCAA can't stop breaking their own rules and should be shut down by Warde immediately. 
• Time for Michigan Lawyers world-wide to unite against the NCAA 

Lastly, why doesn't the NCAA have coaches to helmet communications?  It's not becuase Little St. Mary's of Northwest Iowa can't afford it, they already have headsets and communication from the coaches press box.  It's because coaches love stealing signals and everybody believes their signals are being stolen and changed every week.  

• MSU interim head coach Harlon Barnett said on Monday that he knew Michigan would try to score on that last drive.  "I’m not surprised, not surprised. Not at all … (I will) definitely (remember that). I always remember. I’m gonna remember everything about that game.”  My question would be, where are you going to remember it at?  Because the chances of you still being at MSU with a new staff are slim and none.  Barnett has yet to win a game as MSU's interim head coach.  

Michigan Friday: The Deep Abyss of BS

When Jimmy got to Michigan one of the first things, he did was bring in valuable staff members to help run his football program.  These resources are not officially on-field coaches but do things like scout opponents, prepare nutritional menus, book travel, academic help, help with game planning, etc.   Yes, some are former coaches and some of these resources have gone on to head coaching jobs.  Biff Poggi is a great example of that.  

This is very common place at any big college program.  Alabama for the longest time was doing it better than anyone and was winning a ton of football games.   Jimmy used that model.  

Sign stealing is also very common at every level of football including College Football.  The headline around this situation is Sign Stealing which is not an NCAA violation.  The alleged violation is sending a low-level staff member to opponents' games.  This is the below staffer that has been identified by Yahoo.  I will not state his name for his protection as he has already closed down his social media. 

Per Yahoo: At various points, ------ would make a signal: point to his shoulder, gesture to the ground, tap his head. He was in constant communication with the full-time assistants around him, whispering to them as the opposing offense broke the huddle.

“He spearheads the operation,” one Big Ten school coach told Yahoo Sports in an interview Thursday. “I once told (------), ‘We know what kind of sh** you are doing and it’s f***** up.’”

Further in the story:

Ohio State staff members knew of the issue ahead of their game against the Wolverines last season. The staff “changed things up” ahead of the game to combat the signaling issue, one support member told Yahoo.

“We heard they had a guy pick plays pretty good and had all this information from not your typical ways of getting the signals,” the staff member said. “We get into the game and it’s the second quarter. I see him across the field and he’s checking his 11x17 sheet.”

One Big Ten school coach said Michigan used “backdoor” methods to obtain signage information. Word had spread enough that one Big Ten school feared Michigan staff members were in attendance at one of their games earlier in the season capturing signals.

A few weeks later, in the game against the Wolverines, that same team called the game mostly using wristbands. However, some plays were signaled in. On those plays, staff members spotted ------ either signaling into the game or gesturing to another assistant.

“As soon as we flashed something, he knew it right away,” one coach said. “You go through the film and you start seeing a trend of certain coverages versus run and pass. They’re getting into the best looks you can get into.”

----

Am I missing something? How can you be on the sideline at the Michigan game predicting opponents plays and at the same time tracking and filming plays at another game?

I heard this morning on ESPN that this staffer had his laptop turned over to the NCAA.  The above anonymous coaches sound like whinners that Michigan is doing something better than they are.  Again, sign stealing is not against the rules and EVERY team tries to do it.  

This will not be hard to prove if Michigan did send a staffer to games.  There will be expense reports to prove they were there. I don't know how buying a ticket to a football game is breaking the rules, but it's the NCAA Clown Show.  If the staffer used a recording device, then I believe Michigan has a problem.   If the staffer did not attend opponents' games and got this intel from watching TV and tape, then this is a bunch of whining coaches that are getting beat at every level of the game.   Believe me, every coach believes every opponent is stealing signals and all of them are super paranoid.   OSU has levied the same complaint against Clemson during the CFP. 

It also sounds like these teams knew Michigan was good at this and changed their signals and used wrist bands and still got rolled.  What are we talking about?

Lastly, Big Ten Football offenses are not that complex and we all could sit on our coach and call 70% of the plays.  I remember USC rolling Michigan in a Rose Bowl many years ago and the players said, we knew what they were running before they ran it.   

Memo to The Clown Show: Bill Self and Cam Newton's dad continues to laugh at you.  Adjust your priorities, work on NIL, and try to find a way to put some respect back on your name.  The power in this game is with ESPN, CBS, NBC, and ABC your reign is over.  

Update: Michigan has suspended the staffer Connor Stalions who is a former Captain of the Marine Corps and a graduate of the Naval Academy.   Connor is accused of running an elaborate scouting system.  He is suspended with pay until the investigation is complete. 

Couple thoughts, don't love this move by Warde as it looks guilty as hell.  The NCAA is clearly not patriotic and lastly, this now allows him to attend OSU/PSU this weekend 😀

This story doesn't seem to stop.  

Breaking News: NCAA Opens New Investigation on Michigan Football

Early reports are that the NCAA has alerted the Big Ten that they are investigating Michigan Football for in-person scouting of opponents.  

With film and every game on TV, I'm not sure why this would even be a thing or give Michigan an advantage.  I guess a scout could try to chart signals.  With the audio in the helmets, I'm also wondering why that would be effective.    I thought QB helmet communication was allowed in college football like the NFL, it is not allowed. 

Yahoo is the first to report this investigation.

Sending scouts to other games was outlawed in 1994 to save college money.  

There are plenty of old stories of Woody sending scouts to watch Michigan's practice on Stadium's bridge.  

Per the Yahoo Story:

Two of Michigan's opponents this season told Yahoo Sports they became aware that Michigan knew their play signs. Sign stealing does not violate NCAA rules unless the team uses in-game, electronic equipment to relay the information to players on the field or amongst coaches. The 2023 NCAA football rule book addresses sign stealing in a general way under a section titled Prohibited Field Equipment. It states that “any attempt to record, either through audio or video means, any signals given by an opposing player, coach or other team personnel is prohibited.” No corresponding penalty is listed.

It's Rutgers and who else?  Another question, why would Michigan need to steal signs to beat the teams on their schedule this year?  Also, there is a reason why most teams have large cardboard signs or multiple guys doing signs so they "don't have their mail read".  

Bottom line: Jimmy has pissed off the NCAA and they are going to double click on everything Michigan Football. 

Breaking News: Michigan Self Imposes a 3 Game Suspension for Harbaugh

Why would they do that? 

Answer: East Carolina, UNLV, & Bowling Green

If Michigan is proactive, maybe the NCAA will take it at face value and put all this nonsense to rest.  Or if the NCAA considers it too light, they could add games to next year's schedule and Michigan would have the suspension over 2 years, instead all at once. 

Just like the proposed NCAA penalty, Jimmy will be able to coach during the week and have Saturday's off.

That is one expensive hamburger! 

Will update the story, once we know who the interim head coach is.  Harbaugh believes he has 4 assistant coaches that could be a head coach very soon.   My guess: Mike Hart.

Trivia Question: Which former Michigan QB will be a head coach in the Big House on 9/16?

Answer: Scot Loeffler 

Michigan Monday: The NCAA Clown Show

It's amazing to me that some organizations just can't seem to get out of their own way.  The NCAA is a perfect case study on how not to run a large organization.  They completely lack any PR skills and can't "read a room" to save their lives.  Reminds me of the former ownership of the Washington Redskins, Football Team, Commanders. 

Outside of Ann Arbor, the NCAA continues to take hits for not granting immediate eligibility for a few football players this season.  Inside Ann Arbor, they can't seem to get their act together.   For example, they levy some Level 2 violations against the Michigan Football program which usually comes with some restricting recruiting on Wednesday's (that is a joke).   Then an issue of if Jimmy remembering or not remembering if he bought a kid a cheeseburger, the NCAA changed the offense to a Level 1.  

First off, that is some petty high school sh*t right there.  The NCAA is spending millions of dollars and wasting months of months of time, trying to convince a stubborn head coach, that not recalling and lying are the same things.  We know Jimmy will not back down for something he believes 100% in.  I also believe the NCAA is feeling embarrassed as a new Johnny Football documentary on Netflix showed how Johnny and his best friend came up with a story to convince the NCAA, that Johnny was from Oil money and that all his money came from his grandfather.  When in fact, Johnny was making hundreds of thousands of dollars signing autographs.  The NCAA suspended Johnny for 1 half of 1 game.  Johnny's family did not come from oil money 

So finally, cooler heads prevail and Jimmy and the NCAA work out a settlement that Jimmy will sit out the first 4 games of the year.  Of course, Jimmy is not happy with it and neither is the NCAA.  As any good corporate negotiator will tell you, a good negotiation resolution is where neither party is happy with the final result.  The kicker is that Jimmy will not say that he lied. 

The NCAA then decides to get in their clown car and have a meeting.  They decide to reject this settlement and want to move on to the next step in the process.  Which will happen sometime next off season.  They also released a statement saying; this is not over a cheeseburger and that often the clown car committee wants more information.   Tom Mars (Jimmy's lawyer) is immediately frustrated as he, Jimmy, and U of M is under a strict gag order not to discuss this case but the NCAA can release their own narrative. 

So now what?

-Jimmy is expected to coach all games this season

-This matter will now spill over into 2024

-Some have speculated this could be Jimmy's last straw in Ann Arbor 

Let me address the last straw scenario.  If these 9 years at Michigan has taught Jimmy anything, it's that his style is a better fit for college than the NFL.  Yes, he has a "hot" name with his recent success in college and his brother's long-term success in the NFL.  The issue is, Jimmy runs a very old school offense and will have been out of the league for 10 years.  NFL coaching is a young man's gig now and even with all the flirtation over the past 9 years, Jimmy hasn't received 1 reported head coaching offer from the NFL. 

Sure, he is frustrated and this NCAA thing will probably end up in a court somewhere to be judicated but I don't think he is headed to the NFL anytime soon.  He just needs to focus on this Top 5 team, winning another Big 10 Championship, and making a run at a National Championship.

• In an expected move, Michigan lost 4-star edge rusher from Florida Elias Rudolph to Miami. 

• Cade went down in a non-contact injury in Iowa's practice over the weekend.  It's not expected to be a major injury and just a "soft tissue" thing.  

• Derrick Walton Jr. is going to be playing in China. 

Michigan Friday: Welcomes Another Cornerback

Michigan missed out on its top two CB's in this class as 2 Ohio athletes decided to stay home and play for Buckeyes.  Michigan then opened its window a little wider and found a 3-star CB from Kentucky Jeremiah Lowe who committed to Michigan yesterday. Jeremiah is a bit of a raw prospect at CB but who has a nose for the ball. He will need to add weight (5'11 and 170 pounds) and technique in Ann Arbor but Michigan has the coaches and S&C program to do just that.

Jeremiah is a good athlete and competes well at CB on film His offer list included: Mizzu, UK, BC, WVU, Marshall, and MAC schools. I expect Lowe to compete on special teams and maybe the nickel at Michigan.

With 28 commits on board, Michigan would like to add a WR and/or a top ranked player (Zaquan Patterson and Ryan Wingo are good examples) to this class. Michigan is probably done for the year and can focus on keeping this class intact and move to building the 2025 class.

• CJ Stroud's first NFL pre-season pass was completed to Nico Collins, who then trucks a first round CB. CJ later in the series throws a pick.

• Winovich had a sack for the Texans last night.

• Phil Mickelson bet over a $1B? No wonder he went to LIV Golf, he needed the money to pay his mortgage.

• ESPN has been making strange decisions and now has pulled off one of its best commentators off college football, Dan Orlovsky. I'm betting he regrets signing that new contract with ESPN about a year ago.

• With 3 weeks to go before the season starts, I'm betting (sorry Phil) we will hear news soon about the final verdict in the Harbaugh situation. The NCAA won't want this to linger close or into the season.

• Duncan Robinson is holding a youth basketball camp in Ann Arbor on 9/10