Can the CFP selection committee separate itself from Michigan’s allegations?
In its first CFP ranking, the committee did not consider allegations related to Michigan football. Dan Wolken and Paul Myerberg discuss whether the committee needs to.
Connor Stallions, the Michigan Wolverines football employee who was at the center of the program’s sign-stealing scandal, has resigned, according to a statement from the school.
“Connor Stallions resigned from his position with the Michigan Athletics this afternoon. We are unable to comment further regarding this personal matter.” Michigan said in a statement.
Prior to Michigan’s statement, multiple reports indicated that Stallions had been fired.
According to The Athletic newspaperStallions declined to “cooperate with any internal or external investigations or discussions.” According to the Associated Press, Stallions failed to show up for his scheduled hearing on Friday and informed the school through his attorney that he would not participate in any internal or external investigations.
The Stallions were accused of purchasing tickets to games against Michigan’s Big Ten Conference and potential future College Football Playoff opponents, and scouting and recording video that could be used to decode their in-game signals so that the Wolverines would have an advantage in games. Personal scouting is against NCAA rules.
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Pettitte met with Michigan President Santa Ono and athletic director Ward Manuel on Friday as the conference considers whether to discipline the Wolverines football program for a scouting and sign-stealing scheme. Petitti was in Ann Arbor for the Big Ten field hockey tournament. Big Ten spokeswoman Diane Dietz confirmed to the AP that Pettitte met with Ono and Ward, but did not provide any details.
The 28-year-old Stallions, a retired U.S. Marine Corps captain and graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, allegedly purchased tickets, using his real name, to nearly three dozen games over the past three seasons. According to ESPN.com, 12 different Big Ten schools were discovered and the use of electronics and a paper trail were also found. The Stallions then mailed the tickets to others around the country and also used television broadcasts to promote the scheme. Central Michigan is investigating whether the Stallions were on the sideline for their game against Michigan State.
Stallions was suspended by the university with pay two weeks ago. The NCAA is also investigating these allegations. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh denied any involvement in the sign-stealing scheme.
the No. 2 ranked Wolverine He is scheduled to face Purdue on Saturday evening in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In the first College Football Playoff seedings announced Tuesday, Michigan finished third behind Big Ten rival Ohio State and two-time national champion Georgia.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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