The Outrage Over Michigan’s ‘Sign-Stealing’ Is Hypocrisy At Its Finest
As it turns out, the University of Michigan has reportedly submitted documents to the Big Ten that indicate Rutgers and Ohio State had provided Purdue with intel on Michigan’s play calling signs ahead of the 2022 Big Ten championship game. Put simply, Purdue – with the assistance of Rutgers and Ohio State – was able to benefit from in-person advanced scouting of a future opponent.
Given the recent news cycle, this is an intriguing development. Yahoo Sports journalist Dan Wetzel emphasized the current absurdity surrounding the selective anger directed at Michigan. In Michigan, the “advanced scouts” were the Stallion’s band of iPhone-toting pals.
The “advanced scouts” in Purdue’s instance were the professional coaching staffs of two other Big Ten teams that had just played the Wolverines and could thus battle-test the indications they stole as accurate. Which would you prefer? Raw cell phone film that needs to be deconstructed, or highly experienced trainers simply handing over their work? Purdue would be the obvious choice.
However, as Wetzel points out, Michigan is currently seen as the college football villain. It is the Wolverines who are cheating, who are damaging the game’s integrity, and who are currently facing potential sanctions from both the Big Ten and the NCAA – all while being guilty of the same crimes as practically every other major college football program.
The Big Ten conference is being led by the phony anger of opposing coaches and athletic directors, while ignoring the larger issue. What Michigan is accused of isn’t quite as wicked (or unusual) as the conduct that prompted the probe in the first place. While sign-stealing is customary, hiring a private investigator to bring down your competitor is not.
It’s unclear how the Big Ten and NCAA will handle the situation with Michigan specifically, but it’s a pretty safe bet that Michigan will respond with a strong legal response if any punishment is imposed, which could potentially put the conduct of other programs in the spotlight as well.
