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Michigan State Football: 3 things you need to know about Michigan

By Scott Tolonen

Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans defensive end Marcus Rush (44) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans defensive end Marcus Rush (44) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh looks on before running onto the field during the second half of U-M’s 52-7 win over Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Ann Arbor.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh looks on before running onto the field during the second half of U-M’s 52-7 win over Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Ann Arbor. /

3.  They have been accused of illegally stealing signs

Early Thursday, a report came out saying that the Big Ten has evidence of the University of Michigan stealing signs of opponents. This is in direct violation of NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1, which states: “Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited.”

The question isn’t whether the rule is dumb or not. Lots of rules are dumb. I should be able to dig by golf ball out of someone else’s divot when I’m in the fairway. But if I do that, I get penalized. If there’s no one on the freeway, I still can’t do 88 mph and then whine when the cop pulls me over. Everyone except OSU was up in arms when Terrell Pryor and Co. traded their equipment for tattoos in 2011. Again, a dumb rule, but they broke it and essentially got their coach fired.

Again, I don’t think this levels the playing field but it will be interesting to see how the first quarter plays out. The Wolverines have a knack for starting slow, but seem to dominate the late stages of the game, as was the case in last year’s matchup. With Michigan State’s coaches hopefully being smart enough to change their play calls (not a guarantee, though) it could cause this game to be closer than everyone thought it would be just 24 hours ago.

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