The big off-the-field story in college football is the sign-stealing scandal involving the University of Michigan, but it doesn't stop there.
There are allegations that low-level Wolverines staff member Connor Stalions went to great lengths, including purchasing tickets to games involving Big Ten teams, so he can learn the signals of future Michigan opponents.
The NCAA is investigating. Stalions has been suspended with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh denies any knowledge of an illegal signal stealing scheme.
The next question to be asked: How prevalent is signal stealing in college football?
According to an ESPN report, it was apparently an issue for LSU as they were getting ready to play Clemson in the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship game.
Now-Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables was the defensive coordinator at Clemson at the time. He has a reputation of stealing signs.
Sources told ESPN that LSU had concerns that Clemson had operatives scouted them them in Atlanta previously, watching signals when the Tigers played in the SEC Championship and the Peach Bowl for the CFP semifinal. LSU's record-setting offense obliterated Georgia, then Oklahoma in those games.
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But fast-forward the 2020 national title game at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. LSU’s offense got off to an uncharacteristically slow start, punting on its first three drives. They only ran 11 plays from scrimmage on those series.
That’s when Coach Ed Orgeron reportedly told offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger to switch up the signals.
From there, LSU would go on to score six offensive touchdowns and ultimately blow out Clemson 42-25.
There is no empirical evidence that Clemson went off site to steal LSU’s signals.
One of the reasons it's necessary to signal at all in college games is the lack of an in-helmet communication system, as the NFL employs. If college football is serious about ending sign-stealing issues entirely, changing that rule could do it.