J. Brady McCollough: College football contenders and pretenders: Who has a legit shot at a national title?
LOS ANGELES — After Michigan's 49-0 evisceration of in-state rival Michigan State on Saturday night, the Wolverines find themselves in an unprecedented situation — within the annals of their storied program and college football history.
Michigan is now the betting favorite to win the College Football Playoff national title, jumping ahead of two-time defending champ Georgia. Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy is now the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. And yet, in the midst of what should be glorious anticipation in Ann Arbor, Mich., more smoke continues to billow in regard to the NCAA's investigation into allegations the Wolverines have been going too far in their efforts to steal opponents' signs.
It is not against NCAA rules to steal signs. The NCAA is looking into whether Michigan staff members or people acting on behalf of a staff member attended future opponents' games and used prohibited technology in an attempt to steal signs. In-person scouting has not been allowed by the NCAA since 1994.
ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Monday that Connor Stalions — the low-level staffer Michigan suspended with pay on Friday — purchased tickets in his name to more than 30 games during the past three years at 10 different Big Ten schools.
Thamel reported Stalions is
