Michigan lost to Western Michigan. Then the Big Ten stepped in

It's pretty simple. See the clock hit triple zeros, look at your screen. Or see the clock hit triple zeros, and press pause on your phone. Or TV. Or laptop. I'm pretty sure we all just witnessed Big Ten officials rig a game for a conference team. Michigan lost to Western Michigan. The game was over. Big Ten officials then decided to add one second to the game clock because, well, none of us really know. 'THE MOST RIGGED ENDING EVER': Michigan Hail Mary robs Western Michigan of upset MORE: How much did Michigan pay WMU to scare living daylights out of it? Michigan then used the second, threw a successful Hail Mary and prevented mass depression in Ann Arbor. Without that gift to set up a 47-yard touchdown pass on the final play of Michigan's 13-12 win over Western Michigan, the Wolverines lose in Kyle Whittingham's first game as coach and Bryce Underwood is the most overpaid player in the brief and inglorious history of NIL. A prayer answered. See how Michigan avoided disaster, WMU players in despair And the Big Ten just can't have that, people. Can't have the conference that has won the past three national titles, that has cruised by the SEC in the my-conference-is better-than-yours argument, losing at home to something called Western Michigan. A Michigan team that scored on its first drive, then didn't do squat until the last play of the game. A Michigan quarterback (Underwood) who was paid millions to sign with the Wolverines prior to last season, and isn't the best at his position on the roster. Freshman Tommy Carr, Notre Dame star quarterback CJ Carr's younger brother, will be Michigan's quarterback before the calendar hits October. As sure as the Big Ten stole a win from Western Michigan, Tommy Carr will take saps in next week's Oklahoma game. If you think the WMU defense confused Underwood, wait until OU coach Brent Venables — arguably the game's best defensive mind — shows Underwood what he's got. The only question is how long Whittingham stays with Underwood, who was underwhelming as a freshman and — if it's possible — looks worse as a sophomore. With or without the Big Ten's help. The play before the Big Ten rigged the game, Underwood scrambled and threw what should've been the game's last play. It was another Hail Mary. And he threw it out of the end zone. When the game should've ended. Before it was rigged. Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB. Listen to him daily, from 12-2 p.m., on 1010XL-Jacksonville.It's time to believe it. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan lost to Western Michigan. Then the Big Ten stepped in | Opinion