The Big Ten Conference announced Friday it was suspending Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh from being on the sidelines at games for the remainder of the regular season after it found Harbaugh and his staff conducted an illegal sign-stealing operation.

KEY FACTS

Harbaugh’s suspension only applies to game days, meaning he can still coach practices, and it only applies to the regular season, meaning if the team qualifies for the postseason he can return, including for the Big Ten championship game.

Harbaugh is not allowed to be at the venue on game day for the remaining three games after this Big Ten ruling.

The Big Ten called Michigan’s sign-stealing operation “an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over multiple years, resulting in an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of competition.

KEY BACKGROUND

The Big Ten announced an NCAA investigation into Michigan’s alleged illicit sign-stealing operation on Oct. 19, ESPN reported.

The investigation centered around team staff member Connor Stalions, who allegedly purchased tickets to more than 30 college football games over the past three years and sent people to those games, the Detroit Free Press reported.

In an apparent attempt to ascertain the team’s playcalling and signals, those individuals are said to have recorded the coaching staff and sideline of one of the teams for the entirety of the game.

Stalions was initially temporarily suspended, but ultimately resigned from his job last week. According to ESPN, scouting potential opponents in person has been prohibited in NCAA football since 1994.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

How the season progresses for Michigan.

The undefeated Michigan Wolverines, the No. 3 team in the College Football Playoff rankings, will play No. 10 Penn State on Saturday without their head coach.

Now that they are 9-0, Michigan is a serious contender to win the Big Ten and the College Football Playoffs national championship.

When it comes to the Big Ten standings, Ohio State is 9-0 and Penn State is 8-1, tied with Michigan. After Penn State, Michigan will have to play Maryland and Ohio State without Harbaugh.

CONTRA

Michigan has indicated it will challenge this suspension in court, potentially by requesting a temporary restraining order against the decision, which would allow Harbuagh to coach in-person Saturday, ESPN reported, citing anonymous sources.