OSU Conspiracy Theorists: Michigan Stealing Signals

The brain trust over at 11w is at it again. This one is a doozy: Michigan is stealing signs, which explains their second-half dominance. Thread: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/forum/ohio-state-football/2022/12/135754/go-ahead-and-convince-me. Source: user Whatsredandgray...

Lead quote: "Either they are the best half time adjustment team I’ve seen or they know how to steal signs on both O and D."

What's funny about this: somehow UM knows how to steal signs, but they seem to require playing a team for a half before learning the signs. Somehow, no one at UM thought to go to a *previous game* of the opponents at get the signs stolen for the whole game!.

TreySermonGrin chimes in: "They're definitely stealing signs and I'm not totally sure the coaches know. If anyone does actually have connections inside the WHAC I would highly advise we become aware of this." Now, you wonder, what is the WHAC? It's the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference! See https://www.whac.net/ for details. 

ImRonBurgundy adds: "I don't know. It was a theory heading into The Game. They just hammer teams in the 2nd half. Like you said, from the very 1st play onward. It's kind of uncanny. Definitely could be something to it, but only some whispers and rumors right now." Where are these whispers and rumors coming from, I wonder. Oh yes! Stupid message board posts, like this one!

Calibuckeyefan1 writes: "Yeah but even when Clemson was apparently doing it, there wasn’t this stark difference between their opponents play in the first half vs second half.  Something is up." This person has clearly run the numbers.

OSU2002grad contributes: "It is quite odd how they do this every game. Like why does it always take a half of mediocrity and then a half of dominance? Every game except Illinois." to which Brutusbro replies: "Doesn't Illinois huddle almost every play?" This clinches it: you can't steal signs from Illinois, and that was the only "bad" UM game!

RichOSUClass1977 has it all figured out, computers and stuff: "Maybe they have video taped the sideline signal callers on every play all season long and built a data base based on actual plays run. Then they adjust the codes they see in first half to match new play series as run or pass. Code breakers." Genius!

Edgebuckog chimes in with: "Jeff Brohm was pissed tonight and hiding his playchart and going up tempo until the red zone. They are stealing signs. It's a no doubter." Wow, what proof!

But Abcbuckeye thinks it's another theory: drugs. "My theory on Michigan is after the 2019 season is that they are bigger, stronger, and faster. How did this happen and how did this diminish during the playoff last year? They are still recruiting 3* athletes.  Did John Harbaugh’s DC gift to his brother bring a NFL level “dietary supplement program” to Michigan? It would explain how their offensive lineman are a slim and trim 330#. It would explain how they have a greater aerobic capacity in the second half of every game. It would also explain how they shit the bed vs Georgia because during the playoff the NCAA does random testing for PED’s. They would have to cycle off the juice for 6 weeks  to avoid a positive. During the regular season schools self test for drugs. It’s easy for the schools to rig their own testing but they can’t rig NCAA testing." Yes, Michigan only recruits 3 star players. What bubble does this guy live in?

YtownJohnny tries to voice opposition: "Stealing Signals. GTFO. Time to put down the Busch Light and get to bed." And, is immediately downvoted.

Man, what some people will believe, when they don't like the outcome of an event.

<braces for downvotes for linking to 11w, but honestly, I found it kind of fascinating>