The alleged cheating scandal involving the Michigan football team continues to grow and it all centers around Connor Stallions.
As OutKick readers and college football fans know, the Michigan Wolverines have been forged by allegations that the Stallions ran an elaborate tentacled license plate theft operation across the country.
Worried about missing some details? Don’t sweat it because this is OutKick’s guide to everything fans need to know. The next time you’re in a debate with a rabid fan arguing from one side, pull this one and you’re covered.
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What is Michigan accused of?
Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh walks through the tunnel before a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines on October 21, 2023 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. (Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
This is the main question people have, and the answer is not as complicated as some people think. The Wolverines are accused of creating and executing an elaborate cheating scheme by recording opponents’ signals in direct violation of NCAA rules.
It is not against NCAA rules to watch a team’s signs while playing and try to decipher them. This is something that every program does and it would be foolish not to.
That’s not what Michigan is accused of. If that was all there was to it, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. By Jim Harbaugh The program is accused of conducting advanced surveillance and videotaping to steal signals. It is a direct and clear violation of NCAA rules if true.
Knowing the plays ahead of time, Michigan would have a marginally impossible advantage for opponents to overcome. It’s like playing a card game against someone who stacked the deck. Below is an example of Connor Stalions, the accused pointman, who appears to be relaying information that Michigan uses to its advantage. There are many other examples floating around X.
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How was all this information obtained? The Stallions reportedly bought tickets to dozens of games to send people to scout, including non-Big Ten teams the Wolverines might face in the College Football Playoff. An unnamed former DIII coach told ESPN he had gone Paid by Stalions for his role in the alleged scheme.
Michigan was too accused to give stolen signals to other teams to help clear CFP’s path. A surprising report by Sports Illustrated also claims that the Michigan boys may have responded to the sides by using the balls to do so. The University declined to comment on any allegations, despite multiple attempts by OutKick.
Who is Connor Stallions?
Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches from the sidelines with sideline analyst Connor Stallions during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. (USA TODAY Sports)
Who is the alleged mastermind behind the alleged Michigan cheating scheme? Connor Stallions is a 28-year-old Naval Academy graduate, former Marine, and huge Michigan Wolverines fan.
He was so committed to the Michigan Wolverines that According to reports he wrote a 600-page manifesto outlining his vision for the program.
Stalions current role in the program is to serve as an analyst and earns $55,000 for the project. Because he had such a low-profile role and salary, the Stallions had incredible access to coaches during games. The alleged pointman is currently suspended with pay.
He was also accused of attending the CMU/Michigan State game in Chippewa gear while possibly wearing prescription sunglasses. The game was at night. CMU is investigating and as of publication has not ruled out it being Stallions or officially confirmed it is him.
Timeline of license plate cheating scandal in Michigan.
Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, center right, watches East Carolina as assistant analyst Connor Stallions, center left, looks on during an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
To be clear, the timeline is murky from a public perspective because there’s a lot of information about the NCAA, Big Ten, Michigan and competitive programs that no one has seen yet. However, below is a timeline of events as they are known today:
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As of publication, this is the most comprehensive timeline we can provide. For now, Michigan and Jim Harbaugh face zero punishment from the NCAA or the Big Ten.