TLDR: Catapult, a key player in college football’s tech game, faced scrutiny after rumors of security breaches spread. In response, Catapult denied any unauthorized access to its systems or investigation by the NCAA and law enforcement. Despite assurances, prominent teams like the Michigan Wolverines and Alabama Crimson Tide took extra precautions, restricting players’ use of personal tablets for film study. Internal reviews and public statements by Catapult emphasized the integrity of their systems, while colleges awaited clarity amidst ongoing local law enforcement inquiries. Michigan, involved in a separate sign-stealing controversy, acted proactively back in November, indicative of the high stakes and paranoia that come hand-in-hand with modern sports technology.

Michigan, my home team, and Alabama, both have had to double down on their defenses, but not against each other on the gridiron – against potential data breaches. See, there’s been some chatter about Catapult, the big-time tech company all the sports kids are talking about. They’re the folks behind the ThunderCloud video system – that’s the digital vault where all the critical football film is stored and shared. The kind of place you definitely don’t want anyone sneaking into.

But don’t get ahead of yourselves – Catapult sent out this email that was about as calming as a glass of warm milk. They said, “Hold your horses, there ain’t no breach here.” Well, they didn’t use those words exactly, but they assured everyone that their passwords are more protected than a potluck’s last deviled egg. And that if someone did need to reset a password, they would do some serious checking before anyone could lay a finger on it.

Now, I love a good football play as much as the next Midwestern gal, but this isn’t some small-time high school operation. Catapult is talking about over 4,000 sports teams worldwide, folks. Some of my college football friends – you know, the ones who work with video – say if Catapult’s tech was cracked open like an egg, that would ruin the whole brunch.

In the meantime, players from the Alabama squad were like, “Well, guess it’s movie night with coach” since they can’t peek at those films on their own tablets anymore. Michigan? Oh, honey, they’ve been super cautious since early November. Sherrone Moore, their offensive coordinator, might as well have been wearing a trench coat and sunglasses when he pretty much whispered, “No more films on iPads, watch ‘em in the office instead.” And this was while that whole brouhaha about sign stealing was boiling over.

Even our very own Jim Harbaugh, Michigan’s head coach, wasn’t immune to the rumor mill and had to admit at the Rose Bowl media day that they were being extra careful. Everyone’s playing it close to the chest, waiting to see what’s what. I suppose in the high-stakes world of college football, it’s better to play safe than sorry. Like when Aunt Edna’s bringing her mystery casserole to the potluck – no one’s taking a bite until someone brave verifies it’s edible.