Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy stirred up the ongoing sign-stealing controversy and intensified the rivalry with Ohio State during Wednesday’s discussion, insinuating that the Wolverines were merely trying to keep pace with the Buckeyes. Their actions, however, led to a violation of the Big Ten’s Sportsmanship Policy.
McCarthy shed light on the messages conveyed by coach Jim Harbaugh to the team and referred to the “unfortunate” sign-stealing scandal. He also mentioned that roughly “80%” of college football teams engage in sign-stealing.
“It’s a part of football that has been around for years,” McCarthy explained during the CFP teleconference. “In 2020 or 2019, when Ohio State was stealing our signs, which was within the rules, we had to adapt and level the playing field.”
The sign-stealing scandal has been one of college football’s most captivating and peculiar stories. McCarthy believes that its impact is evident at the player level.
“I just think it’s unfortunate,” he added. “We put in a tremendous amount of effort. We watch an extensive amount of film, examining the smallest details of posture, linebacker and D-end positioning, safety alignments, and cornerback strategies. It may all seem like sign-stealing, but there’s much more to it. A lot of work goes unnoticed due to the misconceptions surrounding sign-stealing.”
The intricate sign-stealing operation, allegedly orchestrated by former Michigan staff member Connor Stalions, resulted in a three-game suspension for coach Jim Harbaugh at the end of the regular season. Stalions, who resigned on November 3, purportedly purchased tickets to over 30 games involving potential future Michigan opponents to gather information about opposing play-call signals, a violation of NCAA rules prohibiting in-person scouting.
Stalions was reportedly observed without his customary beard and with a bald head at Michigan’s Rose Bowl semifinal against the Crimson Tide. Previous video footage showed him accessing Central Michigan’s sideline, presumably under false pretenses, during its game against Michigan State, a significant rival of the Wolverines. An anonymous former Division III coach alleged that Stalions provided him with money and a game ticket to record opponents’ signs.