Seth Greenberg calls on Michigan, Big Ten to immediately address sign-stealing scandal

The Michigan Wolverines are one of the best teams in college football this season. However, the program’s on-field success is being overshadowed by an NCAA investigation into the program for breaking the rules around stealing signs.

However, NCAA investigations never move quickly and nobody expects a resolution before the season is over. That could, in turn, leave concerns about the College Football Playoff having a team accused of cheating playing in it.

With a possibly lengthy NCAA investigation coming, there are those who want either Michigan or the Big Ten to step in. That includes college basketball broadcaster Seth Greenberg.

“The @UMichFootball Jim Harbaugh alleged allegations if true need to be addressed NOW by the institution and the conference,” Greenberg posted. “If true a clear message must be sent. A competitive advantage was gained. It is not a victimless violation opposing coaches and players were impacted.”

When news of the scandal broke, Michigan suspended staffer Connor Stalions. Since then, news has quickly been coming out about what the program is accused of doing. That includes in-person scouting to steal signs and the use of technology to steal signs. Central Michigan is even investigating if Stalions snuck onto their sideline while playing Michigan State this season.

All of this has led to questions about who knew what and when? Though, there are images of Stalions with a sheet next to Michigan coordinators. It also has led to the question about what responsibility head coach Jim Harbaugh has to know what’s going on underneath him.

Through all of this, the College Football Playoff selection committee has made it clear that they see this as an NCAA issue and not a CFP issue.

“Our job as we look at it is to rank the teams and to follow our protocols,” committee chair Boo Corrigan said. “As we went through it, that wasn’t part of any of the discussions that occurred during our time together. We really view it as an NCAA issue, not a CFP issue. At this point in time, as we’re looking at this, we want to make sure we get — not just the top four teams but the top 25 teams, right?”

Notably, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel is a member of the CFP committee. He must recuse himself when the Wolverines are discussed. Meanwhile, CFP executive director Bill Hancock says that it’s not an issue. However, that has led to criticism from people like Paul Finebaum.

Big Ten coaches call for conference to take action in Michigan scandal

Late Wednesday night, it was reported by Pete Thamel that on a call to the conference, Big Ten coaches called on the conference office to take action in the Michigan scandal.

“Collectively, the coaches want the Big Ten to act — right now,” a source told Thamel. “What are we waiting on? We know what happened.”

To this point, the Big Ten offices and commissioner Tony Petitti have remained quiet about the scandal. However, under the conference’s sportsmanship policy, action could be taken in the future and before the NCAA investigation ends.