Michigan is preparing to take possible legal action if the Big Ten Conference punishes the Wolverines' football program before a full investigation into allegations of an impermissible scouting and sign-stealing scheme, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The potential for a court fight has increased in recent days as the Big Ten and NCAA weigh details and possible evidence in the case that has dogged Michigan for the past two weeks and shadowed its pursuit of another trip to the College Football Playoff. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Michigan is not discussing its strategy publicly, and did not provide details of its potential next moves.