TLDR: The University of Michigan’s storied football program has been tackled by a formidable opponent off the field: the NCAA. A report from ESPN detailed the issuance of a formal notice of allegations to the university, putting the handling of COVID-era recruitment practices into question. Coach Harbaugh confronts a major Level I violation for potentially dodging investigative cooperation or perhaps even misleading officials, while the school contends with four Level II violations. Preempting possible sanctions, Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore previously took self-imposed suspensions. As the dust storm of this investigation swirls, Michigan must present a response to the allegations, and Harbaugh’s presence on the sidelines does not shield the team from the NCAA’s scrutinizing gaze.

There’s a chill coming over Ann Arbor that has nothing to do with the Michigan weather—it’s the cold front of NCAA allegations. It’s as serious as a hailstorm during a tailgate party. The Wolverines’ football program, a source of pride that has grown with me like my grandma’s heirloom roses, has gotten tangled up in accusations worthy of a prime time drama.

Let’s get this straight: the NCAA isn’t saying that Coach Harbaugh was trying to pull a fast one with some sneaky plays on a chalkboard. What we’re talking about is way more troubling—allegedly dodging the rules during the pandemic recruiting period, and folks, that’s not going to fly like a Hail Mary in The Big House. Harbaugh, the man at the helm, apparently didn’t play ball with the NCAA investigators and is now facing a Level I penalty flag tossed right at his feet.

The Wolverines aren’t just facing one penalty, either. Four Level II infractions are also in play here, which is like stacking yellow laundry on the field after a scuffle breaks out. Sure, they’re not as hardcore as a Level I, but they’ll bench your program just the same if you’ve got enough of them.

But, get this—before the NCAA could even run its play, Michigan called an audible. Harbaugh sat out not one, not two, but three games like someone benched for a false start, while Sherrone Moore, the offensive coordinator, took a single-game time-out. There’s no word yet on if this will be enough to get them out of NCAA detention, but it was a bold strategy, to say the least.

Ol’ Michigan didn’t get to where it is by lying down at the 50-yard line though. They’ve been given 90 days to hatch a game plan against these allegations, and I’ll bet my last hotdish at a tailgate that they’re going to come out defending the colors with everything they’ve got.

Rest assured, Jim Harbaugh’s presence during the Big Ten title win and Michigan’s perfect season record isn’t out of bounds yet. But the NCAA’s shadow is looming larger than a linebacker on fourth and inches, and it’s an off-field matchup that could touch down into history books for all the wrong reasons.