Bruce Feldman believes Michigan sign-stealing scandal could impact College Football Playoff chances

Houston Ann Arbor, we have a problem.

The Michigan Wolverines are caught up in a sign-stealing scandal, with staffer Conor Stalions reportedly buying tickets to more than 30 Big Ten games over the past few seasons. Sitting near the sidelines, there were people videoing the signs teams used throughout the games. Just the latest problem Jim Harbaugh has had with the NCAA, it might be the biggest we have seen in quite some time.

Everyone knows how the NCAA has previously operated when it comes to scandals. Just look at college basketball, with decisions and punishments taking years to be enforced. This could not be the case when it comes to Michigan, at least according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.

Due to the severity of the allegations against the Michigan program, Feldman believes there could be a direct impact on this season’s College Football Playoff. Michigan is currently the betting favorite to win the national championship but violations are beginning to pile up.

“I do think it’s possible,” Feldman said during Monday’s episode of The Paul Finebaum Show. “(Sources) definitely took note that the NCAA has been a lot more proactive on the front end, pushing back. Quite honestly, if you look at some of the comments the NCAA has made as it relates to Jim Harbaugh in the previous investigation, when it was that line ‘It’s not just a hamburger.’ It was very unlike the NCAA to kind of clap back at somebody in their crosshairs. I’ve had more than one person go ‘Maybe there was more to it.’

“Again, competitive balance and in this case, it’s a really messy situation. This is the elephant in the room. This is different than ‘There were rule violations during the COVID dead period.’ This goes right into the heart of the competitive balance of the games.”

Just over a week away from the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, Michigan certainly has a case to be No. 1. While their strength of schedule has not been great to this point, none of the games have particularly been close. Opponents have been battered by the Wolverines, especially since Harbaugh returned to the sidelines.

From a football sense, more information on Michigan will be known via the Penn State and Ohio State games.

But it’s certainly possible none of it matters. Per Feldman, in-season repercussions are certainly possible, if the NCAA does something off-brand and moves swiftly on this investigation.