Why Michigan’s coach is away from the team during their biggest game of the season against Ohio State

Michigan is set to host Ohio State in arguably the biggest college football game of the 2023 regular season. The Wolverines are undefeated and ranked third in the nation. The Buckeyes are undefeated as well and ranked second. The winning team books a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, and likely the College Football Playoff as well.

However, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will not be with the team.

Harbaugh is serving the third and final game of a three-game suspension handed down by the Big Ten Conference earlier this month, as part of the ongoing allegations surrounding a sign-stealing operation run by a former analyst.

Back in October, allegations surfaced regarding former Michigan analyst Connor Stalions, who was hired by the team as a football analyst following seven years as a volunteer. According to multiple reports, Stalions was at the head of an operation aimed at deciphering various play-call signals for upcoming Michigan opponents. The investigation also includes allegations that Stalions was on the Central Michigan sidelines, dressed in CMU gear, while Central Michigan opened their season against Michigan State.

Sign-stealing is a rather grey area in the rules, as the NCAA does permit sign-stealing during games. However, there are two acts that are not allowed: In-person advance scouting to decipher signals, as well as using electronic devices to decipher signals.

The Big Ten released a statement last month confirming the NCAA’s investigation into Michigan.

“Late Wednesday afternoon, the Big Ten Conference and University of Michigan were notified by the NCAA that the NCAA was investigating allegations of sign stealing by the University of Michigan football program,” the statement read.