REPORT: Michigan Wolverines Scouts Planned To Attend Eight Ohio State Buckeyes Games This Season
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been connected as victims of the Michigan Wolverines sign-stealing scandal once again.
And as things appear, they may have been the most targeted school of all by Michigan.
Per a report from the Washington Post, an outside firm began conducting an investigation this football season, where they uncovered substantial evidence in regard to the sign-stealing scandal.
That evidence included video, and documents detailing the Wolverines' plans.
According to the evidence uncovered by the firm, the Wolverines planned to spend upwards of $3,000 or more this season for scouts to attend 'as many as eight' Ohio State games.
Georgia was also a highly targeted team with Michigan reportedly planning to have scouts attend 'four or five' games in 2023.
Connor Stalions standing next to Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines vs. Ohio State in 2022
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Said the Washington Post:
Atop the list was Ohio State, Michigan’s top rival in the Big Ten, and scouts planned to attend as many as eight games, costing more than $3,000 in travel and tickets. Next on the list was Georgia, a potential opponent in the College Football Playoff, with four or five games scheduled for in-person scouting and video-recording, also costing more than $3,000 in travel and tickets.
The firm presented its findings to the NCAA on Oct. 17. On Oct. 18, the NCAA opened its investigation.
According to the report, the firm did not present evidence that directly linked Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh to the scouting plans.
Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of the situation, releasing a statement last week to that effect.
"I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment," Harbaugh said in the statement.
