As a deeply concerned fan, I am disturbed by the recent allegations of cheating against the University of Michigan's football team. The integrity of the game we love is being compromised and player safety is at risk. The alleged level of shearing is unprecedented. It's time to take a stand against such practices that not only undermine fair competition but also endanger our athletes. 

The University of Michigan has been accused of using technology at opponents game to decode their signs. This goes against the very spirit and ethos of college football, which emphasizes sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for all participants.

It is crucial that we maintain trust in our college sports institutions. According to a survey conducted by NCAA in 2019, 79% fans believe that fairness is an essential aspect of any sport (NCAA Sportsmanship Survey). When this trust is broken due to unfair practices like cheating, it tarnishes the reputation and credibility of not just one team or university but all collegiate athletics.

Per the Athletic, 50 FBS coaches about the seriousness of the allegations and how they view Michigan at this stage. The result was overwhelmingly negative:

• Of those coaches, 94 percent say Michigan crossed the line. On a severity scale of 1-5, 78 percent ranked it as 4 or 5.
• Furthermore, 35 of the coaches said Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh does not have plausible deniability. Harbaugh initially released a statement saying he was unaware of the operation.

The B1G acted before the conclusion of the investigation following an incident in Ann Arbor following the Michigan State game. Jim Harbaugh was extremely vocal in calling for these punishments while a felon with a gun charge was playing for the University of Michigan. 

We urge the relevant authorities to investigate these allegations thoroughly and if found true, ban University of Michigan from participating in this year and future College Football Playoffs until they can demonstrate commitment towards fair play and player safety. Jim Harbaugh should be suspended while the investigation is ongoing. He set this precedent by demanding for suspensions of MSU players during an active investigation. Player safety is a huge risk when one team knows the other team’s plays. Let us restore faith in our beloved game by ensuring it remains clean and safe for all involved.

Please sign this petition if you believe in preserving integrity within college football.