NCAA investigating No. 2 Michigan amid sign stealing allegations - ESPN

The NCAA is investigating the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines' football program amid allegations of sign stealing, the school announced Thursday.

«The university is fully cooperating with the Big Ten and NCAA,» the university said in a statement. "… At the University of Michigan, we are committed to the highest ethical and integrity standards for all members of our community."

The University of Michigan and the Big Ten were both notified by the NCAA of the investigation Wednesday, and the conference said it had notified the Wolverines' future opponents.

«The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation,» it said in a statement.

The NCAA does not have rules specifically against stealing signs but does prohibit in-person advance scouting of opponents and also has bylaws prohibiting unsportsmanlike activities.

According to a report by Yahoo Sports, Michigan allegedly had people attending games of future opponents as well as possible College Football Playoff opponents to gather information on signs used to call plays on offense and defense.

If true, the No. 2 Wolverines would have violated NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1, which states: «Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited.»

U.S. Integrity, a Las Vegas firm that monitors the betting market, sent out an alert to its sportsbook clients regarding the Michigan controversy Thursday, ESPN confirmed.

Michigan (7-0) plays Michigan State on Saturday. In its statement, Michigan said the investigation would not impact the game.

Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh has already served a university-imposed three-game suspension this season stemming from alleged recruiting