I had a thought after someone on here mentioned a rumor that UM COULD have played Purdue.
And while this thought is laced with cynicism/conspiracy, I don’t put it past Michigan to pull it off.
Is there a way that UM could tell the B1G “we can’t play due to COVID tests” but not actually provide the players/coaches that are out due to health/privacy issues? If the B1G doesn’t require medical documentation of the individual tests, I’m very much convinced UM saw how the season was going and took an unregulated tactical pause.
Just like in the midst of a game, when your team is struggling and the other team is on a run, you take a timeout to get your team right.
If UM comes out tonight at full strength and running a different/improved offense with the cohesiveness of a team practicing for a week unencumbered by league games/travel, then I will 100% believe my own conspiracy theory.
They are trying to pick a winnable game to come back and at Illinois (with the rivalry that’s been created) is the best option.
I’ll take my tinfoil hat off now…though I don’t think I’m completely wrong.