Jim Harbaugh responds to Alabama players not watching film on iPads due to hacking allegations

One of the more intriguing pre-game storylines for the College Football Playoff semifinal between Alabama and Michigan is that Crimson Tide players admitted that they’re not watching film on their iPads due to hacking concerns.

In a season where Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended twice, once for a sign-stealing scandal, there seemed to be concern about what the Wolverines might do. Those were concerns that Harbaugh responded to, saying he didn’t know where they came from.

“I don’t know that somebody said that,” Jim Harbaugh said. “But I know there’s rumors out there about the Cloud and Catapult system, and our team is taking the same precautions.”

Ultimately, he says he only became aware of the story through rumors.

“Rumor. People just started talking about that. We know very little about how that works.”

Jim Harbaugh was then asked if he had seen anything to say that there had been a hack on his team. However, he did not know about anything directly happening to the team and emphasized that he wasn’t accusing anyone of wrongdoing.

“I think our university server got hacked. I don’t think that had anything to do with it, and please know I’m not accusing anybody of anything. Just really don’t know.”

Despite this story, Alabama head coach Nick Saban has pushed back on the amount of concerns that he and the Crimson Tide have with iPads and specifically the Catapult system.

“I’m not concerned about that,” Saban said. “Our players have had every opportunity to get ready for this game just like any other game. It’s not an issue that I’m concerned about or that our players are concerned about or is worth discussing here 48 hours before the game.”

This particular CFP game will double as the Rose Bowl and will kickoff at 5:00 p.m. EST on New Year’s Day.

Alabama players on altering game preparation

Despite head coach Nick Saban saying he was unconcerned about the Crimson Tide’s preparation for this game, several Alabama players did speak about changes in their approach. That started with Isaiah Bond.

“The app we record film off… I guess they were looking at other peoples’ play calls, hand signals, stuff like that,” Isaiah Bond said.

Running back Jase McClellan seemed to confirm this and imply it was for the sign-stealing scandal.

“You know, what Michigan is known for… What they have out there. Just the play-call stealing,” McClellan said.

Later, offensive lineman JC Latham provided some additional context on the situation.

“We just didn’t want to take no chances,” Latham said. “It’s a really big game. I think we have a really great film staff and guys who make sure our film is pretty secure but we’re just taking another precaution to make sure we’re all good.”