The 2023 college football season was turned on its head when news broke that one of the best teams in the sport, the Michigan Wolverines, had been illegally scouting their opponents and stealing their signs, leading to the Wolverines knowing which plays opposing teams were running.
At the time, head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended for the final games of the regular season. However, the program is still facing possible punishment from the NCAA.
Now, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, who is responsible for the 2023 suspension of Harbaugh, is letting the NCAA know his final decision on what he feels needs to be done about the scandal, according to one prominent college football insider.
“B10 commissioner Tony Petitti sent the NCAA a letter arguing Michigan deserved no further punishment in its advanced scouting case It’s notable considering Michigan’s past contentiousness toward Petitti when he first suspended Jim Harbaugh in 2023,” ESPN’s Dan Wetzel reported on Monday.
Fans reacted to this news on social media.
“It’s too bad that he has no say in the infractions. Less than 48 days until vacated wins and postseason bans,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“He would do this for any Big Ten team – it’s his job to protect the brand and revenue. Losing the 2nd best program in the conference for even a few games dramatically hurts ratings,” someone else added.
“They are a repeat offender already on probation with at least 6 more level 1 violations and literally cheated on the field. The NCAA infractions committee will absolutely punish them further,” someone else wrote.
It’ll be interesting to see how the NCAA decides to handle the situation.