Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverine Nationals are now sitting atop American College Football, courtesy of clinching the 2023 National Championship. But the success has come with a scandal- with the team being accused of adapting to unfair means, and the primary target has been their head coach, who has been tagged as a “Cheater”.
Reprimand of reputation
Back in October, the Michigan got their name entangled with allegation of sign stealing. As per reported by Yahoo! Sports at that time, the Wolverines were under investigation for “possibly scouting opponents in person in an alleged attempt to ascertain play calling signs,” which is prohibited under NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1. The report also added that two opposition teams had alleged that the Wolverines knew their signs.
At that time, the Big Ten conference released an official statement, acknowledging that they are investigating the Wolverines for the alleged sign stealing.
🚨 #B1G Conference Statement
➕ https://t.co/F8yXggM3xw pic.twitter.com/qxVPaQow2o
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 19, 2023
Although the investigation is still underway and many major names involved in the alleged scandal having left the franchise, the team already earned their reputation as the “bad boys” of college football, and eventually, the “cheating” tag came along.
Amidst the imputation, Jim Harbaugh’s squad continued their domination on the field, keeping an undefeated record through and through the 60-year-old’s ninth season with the squad.
Nevertheless, the “cheater” tag once again surfaced when the Wolverines defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-20 to win the Rose Bowl as a stellar mark to the start of the new year. With the franchise already being seen as swindlers, “#cheaters” started to trend all over social media.
Overcoming your coach being suspended for cheating, twice, does not make you a Cinderella story, Michigan. It makes you cheaters.
— Offseason Orca Dad ⭐️⭐️💎 (@itsdoctorem) January 1, 2024
So let me understand this, now that you’ve been able to win some games without cheating, the entire CFB world is supposed to forget that the program cheated for 2 1/2 years?
2 things can be true:
1. Michigan is a very good football team who has won it on the field this year,… https://t.co/zeL6ZioNvm
— Matt Finkes (@MattFinkes) January 2, 2024
Jim Harbaugh is still carrying the ‘cheater’ tag
Those in support of the Wolverines remain steadfast on their stance- that the team has performed with colossal brilliance to taste the triumph this season- which concluded with them dominating the Washington Huskies 34-13 to clinch the 2023 championship.
However, the “cheating” tag is far from getting removed.
Go Huskies. Beat the Cheaters. pic.twitter.com/LzQvWligm8
— Billy J (@HellbenderSTL) January 2, 2024
While the Wolverines’ back to back successes in the Rose Bowl and the Championship Game was thought to have cleared their cheating tag, the stance that the accusers continue to hold on to, is whether Jim Harbaugh’s path to championship was by unfair means.
All that being said, many are rallying behind Harbaugh.
They said he can’t win big games
They said he can’t beat his rivals
They said he can’t beat Ohio State
They said he can’t win the B1G
They said he was a cheater
They said he can’t win a bowl game
WELL JIM HARBAUGH JUST WON A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. WHAT THEY GONNA SAY NOW? pic.twitter.com/5XTi38SEqR
— Michigan Moments (@UofMMoments) January 9, 2024
While Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines bask onto their triumphant conclusion to the 2023 season, it appears that they will have to carry around the tag of cheaters, amidst the investigation from October is still in motion.
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