Pete Thamel would be 'pretty surprised' if NCAA sign-stealing case alters Michigan's 2023 season

The allegations that Michigan football has been illicitly stealing opponents’ signals have consumed much of the oxygen around college football in the last 24 hours. But it’s unlikely that this new infractions case results in anything in the near future.

Joining the “Pat McAfee Show” on Friday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel shared that he does not expect this case to move forward in a fashion that results in punishments coming down in time to change the course of the season for Michigan. The Wolverines are currently ranked No. 2, are undefeated and pushing for a third-straight College Football Playoff berth.

“I think going forward is a fascinating question. You made a great point earlier Pat, the NCAA is notoriously slow in how they investigate things. From 20 years of covering NCAA investigations, I’d be stunned if there was some action before the end of the season,” Thamel said. “So I think the question fans want to know is, ‘Will this impact Michigan’s season?’ And my hunch, through history and not knowing what’s been alleged specifically here and what kind of evidence they have, is I’d be pretty surprised.”

In short: The NCAA has not shown itself to be capable of moving quickly and decisively in these matters. If past process is any indication, Michigan might not see a resolution on this case for months if not years to come.

What Thamel is fascinated to watch, though, is if the sign-stealing case and the other ongoing NCAA investigation for recruiting violations might have Jim Harbaugh looking to return to the NFL — again.

Harbaugh has had suitors in recent years and seemingly still has the bug to coach in the NFL. With potentially several NFL head coaching seats opening up this upcoming cycle, the time could be ripe for Harbaugh, who turns 60 in December, to jump back to the pros and try to win the Super Bowl that eludes him.

“What I do know is Jim Harbaugh, who still has to have his last NCAA situation adjudicated, obviously recruiting violations alleged, he’s already done a three-game self-imposed suspension. But the NCAA still hasn’t run that case yet. So now this is another case that comes into play here. And it’s just, it’s going to be fascinating timing with Michigan, presumably, a playoff caliber team as they’ve been the last two seasons and Jim Harbaugh potentially having options to coach professional football as he’s had last year,” Thamel said.