The funny thing is that — in a 30,000-foot sense — an Illinois upset of unbeaten No. 3 Michigan in Ann Arbor might not have made much of a difference in the outcomes of the season for either team.
The Illini still would’ve needed significant help to win the Big Ten West and reach the conference championship game for the first time. The Wolverines still would’ve had a trip to Ohio State up next, with a chance to knock off their rival, set up a potential 12th victory in Indianapolis and move forward to the College Football Playoff.
