Reaction: I have to wonder what is going to happen to Michigan with the latest, sign-stealing, scandal. The staffer involved, a former military INTELLIGENCE guy, has been suspended. Jim Harbaugh already had been suspended three games for unauthorized practices during the COVID shutdown. Harbaugh denied knowledge of both. Which is absurd. The issue in both was "competitive advantage". The sign-stealing scheme was described as "elaborate" by a source to ESPN and dates from "at least 2021." The larger issue is the integrity of Michigan's record last season and this. This is the danger: Immediately when I heard of this I thought back to Michigan's last two games against Ohio State. Those wins were paradigm shifters. How much of Michigan's second half domination in both was due to sign-stealing? The contrast in halves was stark. You don't want fans having those questions come to mind.
Sanctions can range from vacating wins to post-season bans and on down. A Sporting News writer argued persuasively that fitting the punishment to the crime would mean suspending the head coach and offensive and defensive coordinators for the number of games the NCAA felt Michigan gained a competitive advantage from the sign stealing.
I don't have a cavil with the new top four. I'm unimpressed with Oklahoma and Washington's close calls over inferior opposition but it is not cricket to penalize a team for a WIN.
Texas does not deserve to move up one spot off their close call at Houston but somebody had to. Paterno-Sandusky was seventh last week and obviously had to drop. If I had had a vote I would have jumped Nike, winners over Wazoo, over Texas. Paterno-Sandusky falling only three seems not to meet the eye test after their abortion of a loss to Ohio but the loss was to the number three team in the land and it was on the road.
Alabama up two is warranted with their uber impressive second half over a quality Tennessee team.
Utah only up one spot after winning on the road as a touchdown underdog to USC seems damning by faint praise.
North Carolina falling seven after the worst loss of the college football season at home to 1-5 Virginia is more than justified.
Louisville moving UP three after being idle and last having been blown out by an awful Pitt team the week prior is mindless.
UCLA up two after an expected rout at Stanford is generous.
USC falling six after losing to Utah at home is justified.
