ESPN finally publishes the story about other schools sharing Michigan's signs

Submitted by Hensons Mobile… on November 7th, 2023 at 10:22 PM

Written by Rittenberg and Tom VH.

They cite sources who told ESPN, lol.

I think this is new. New to me at least.

A Big Ten source said the league has forwarded any information to the NCAA for possible follow-up.

They did reference the AP story at the end.

Last paragraph:

Purdue did not respond to a request for comment, and Rutgers declined to comment. Ohio State did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

No link. You know where to find it if you want to.

MGoBoard
Football

Navy Wolverine

November 8th, 2023 at 6:01 AM ^

Keep in mind that OSU had a keen interest in Michigan losing the B1G championship game as they needed “help” getting into the CFP after 45-23 last year. Hard to think of anything that exhibits worse sportsmanship than this. Maybe 3rd Base and Schiano need to serve indefinite suspensions as well. (Ruble is gone but I’m sure there is a suitable punishment for Purdue as well)

Joined: 09/26/2016

MGoPoints: 19370

Red is Blue

November 8th, 2023 at 7:19 AM ^

Hard to say what the committee would have done, but it would be illogical to have put a one loss OSU into the playoff over a one loss Michigan, when Michigan won convincingly head to head (at OSU BTW) and Michigan's loss would been in an extra game.  So Michigan would have had a better winning percentage.

If anything, seems like OSU's playoff chances are better if Michigan wins the B1G as it makes Michigan look stronger.  And an OSU loss more explainable.

So, more likely OSU wanted Purdue to win purely out of pettiness.

Joined: 05/13/2010

MGoPoints: 23889

blueheron

November 8th, 2023 at 6:29 AM ^

It's easy to get the sense that OSU was prepared for this. From a "Forde" article on SI (no link, following OP's good example), emphasis mine:

Purdue declined comment Tuesday through a spokesman. The sharing of information with future opponents is not against the rules, and is considered commonplace in the sport. Which has ginned up even more anger at Michigan for what some see as a false equivalence.

“It’s pathetic,” one Big Ten administrator said.

“Yeah, everyone was trying to beat them,” said a second administrator. “Because everyone knew they were cheating.”

Sure, guys. You did all that in defense. Using similar reasoning, OSU started paying its players extra years ago because they just knew Michigan would eventually cheat. They had to get out in front.

This takes OSU's arrogance to another level. They fully believe they're above the law and that the conference is theirs.

Joined: 03/26/2009

MGoPoints: 30964

Hensons Mobile…

November 8th, 2023 at 7:27 AM ^

Sigh.

They did not know what Stalions was doing.

Or if they did, then they were already changing their signs in advance of playing Michigan anyway (like OSU said they did for 2022), which means our cheating was thwarted and we did not ever have their signs.

Edit: Also, why do other schools have to keep speaking anonymously about their apparently very legal football sign stealing operations? There was another quote somewhere from an anonymous coach who said something like, everybody shares information, and then said "Who cares?" Who cares, he said, yet afraid to have anyone know his name.

There was one MSU assistant coach who went on the record saying that of course people try to steal signs (legally) because it helps, duh. Yay! You said it on the record! Unfortunately no one appears to have asked him why his A.D. allows them to do it since it's a health and safety issue.

Joined: 09/12/2019

MGoPoints: 49528

Hensons Mobile…

November 8th, 2023 at 7:42 AM ^

Well, OSU was busy with its PI work first and maybe Rutgers and Purdue just aren't snitches and figure this is all part of the game.

But that still doesn't help them. Like I said, they either knew and thwarted us (so no competitive advantage) or they didn't know (which means they just do this stuff because they want to).

They cannot reason their way out of this. The offense committed by Michigan is not worthy of a Harbaugh suspension handed out before an investigation by the conference has even started let alone finished.

Joined: 09/12/2019

MGoPoints: 49528

RibbleMcDibble

November 8th, 2023 at 8:10 AM ^

"The sharing of information with future opponents is not against the rules, and is considered commonplace in the sport."

Yeah...but actually, is it against the rules? Because its technically handing a team advanced, in-person scouting?

To me, it seems like most of these teams don't know the actual rules and are either knowingly or unknowingly operating in a grey area of the rule book. Stalions main crime in the mind of other teams is that he got the same information in a different way. 

 

Joined: 10/24/2023

MGoPoints: 7725

Amazinblu

November 8th, 2023 at 12:22 PM ^

I wonder if Rutgers / OSU / Purdue - will argue “teamwork” in the Sportsmanship area.   It’s not collusion.. it’s teamwork.

They are working together.  Like a team - and football is arguably the strongest of team sports. They shared information in the spirit of collegiality.  Their interest - to raise the level of play to ensure Michigan is a deserving conference champion.

It seems like they were just doing this to benefit Michigan.

The interests of their own team - Purdue winning the B1G CCG, or OSU backing into the CFP are simply ancillary aspects of this.

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 41400

lilpenny1316

November 7th, 2023 at 10:25 PM ^

It's been up for a few hours and posted inside of other threads. The only thing I noticed of interest was who was "not" author on this. Thamel hasn't posted anything today and I don't think he's been on ESPN. Maybe it's a coincidence. I don't believe in coincidences though.

Joined: 11/19/2009

MGoPoints: 61836

Hensons Mobile…

November 8th, 2023 at 12:39 AM ^

He has definitely said some snarky shit on GameDay from what I've gleaned, but I also haven't watched that show much in ages.

Mostly what pissed me off is that he went on Finebaum (also don't listen to that, but saw the quotes) and mocked Michigan fans for saying that people were out to get Harbaugh and that ESPN in particular had an agenda.

If ESPN is actually disciplining or reprimanding Thamel for his coverage, then I want an apology from Reece because even his employer agrees with us.

Joined: 09/12/2019

MGoPoints: 49528

blueinbeantown

November 8th, 2023 at 10:14 AM ^

Fuck Finebaum (code name "Dick with Ears") 1. Clearly has an anti Michigan - Harbaugh position and has for years.  2. His head is so far up Saban's ass, would take the entire proctology team from UM hospital to remove.  3. Put Hairbrain Heather on the list, although saw her start to get into the fetal position on Get Up.  

If ESPN wants Game Day for M - osu, think Ypsilanti would be a good location.

 

Joined: 12/16/2014

MGoPoints: 3856

dbrhee

November 7th, 2023 at 10:47 PM ^

Remember the ex-staffer about the leak reached out to Thamel last week on the signal decoding collaboration of the mob schools and DID NOTHING.... So now, he is caught for his bias and yellow journalism.. He can't even state that he is being unbias because he got called out on that as well... This is why the ex-staffer leaked with another journalist this week.... 

As I stated, I am can't wait to see if Thamel gets fired or not... Not holding my breath on ESPN but man, don't they look bad for hiring someone like Thamel.

Joined: 08/25/2014

MGoPoints: 1640

Hensons Mobile…

November 7th, 2023 at 10:28 PM ^

Apologies to those offended. I'll take the negs. Also fine with this being taken down. I did not see that it was referenced in other threads. I personally had been wondering when ESPN would publish, so thought others might be as well.

Joined: 09/12/2019

MGoPoints: 49528