Alabama, Michigan fear sign stealing

LOS ANGELES — The Alabama Crimson Tide caused a stir at the Rose Bowl when they revealed they’ve restricted their players’ game-film viewing on iPads heading into the College Football Playoff semifinal against Michigan because of concerns about hacking.

As it turns out, Michigan is also taking precautions.

The Wolverines also have stopped watching game film on iPads, players and coaches said Friday. Both teams are watching film only in groups or on protected devices as they prepare for their high-stakes meeting in Pasadena.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh first addressed the issue with players last month. He then “turned them off for everyone” on Thursday, receiver Roman Wilson said.

“It’s just a precaution thing,” Wilson added. “It’s just a feeling. Coach is trying to protect our players. When you first see it, you kind of laugh. It’s kind of outrageous that things like that are going on, but you can’t really blame them with the things going on in college football these days.”

Quarterback JJ McCarthy said certain restrictions have been in place for weeks, and Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore confirmed it.

The Tide are also being cautious with their equipment and films in the wake of the Wolverines’ sign-stealing allegations from earlier this season. Wide receiver Isaiah Bond and running back Jase McClellan said Thursday that watching film has been restricted to only as a group and with coaches at team facilities.

McLellan also said that players are not receiving practice film directly on their iPads, and that only coaches are receiving it.

Harbaugh was suspended for the final three regular-season games by the Big Ten Conference due to a sign-stealing scheme, although he denied any role or knowledge in the scheme. Connor Stallions, a former Michigan staff member, was considered one of the leaders of the operation and resigned.