2 playoff questions
I am fully expecting Michigan to defeat a stinkily mediocre Iowa team, but if for some reason they don't, can they still make the playoff?
Secondary question — do we want Georgia or Alabama to win the SEC? In terms of potential playoff matchup for UM?
(I know we probably expect to be atomically shtupped by either, but after Hassan Haskins went full Biakabatuka, anything is possible, guys.)
November 28th, 2021 at 4:36 PM ^
I don’t expect to be blown out by anybody now
November 28th, 2021 at 5:59 PM ^
Georgia would be hard to score on but their offense is talented yet (relatively) pedestrian, so I'd be surprised if they blew us out. Bama is having a down year (for them), and could easily have multiple losses already. So yeah, honestly? The one team I was most afraid of being embarrassingly blown out by was the one we beat on Saturday.
November 28th, 2021 at 7:51 PM ^
This is one of the most talented Michigan teams I've seen in awhile. If Gattis and Harbaugh utilize all of the playmakers and we stay focused, we could surprise everyone. Everyone expects us to run but McNamara has proven that he can throw. We also have one of the best offensive lines in the nation. I really believe we could be the team to go neck and neck with Georgia
November 28th, 2021 at 4:37 PM ^
We are not getting in if we lose. We would want Georgia to take care of Alabama so that we have one less team to worry about competing with for the 2-3 seed and hence not having to worry about Georgia until the final.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:38 PM ^
1. Maybe but let’s just not go there. We wouldn’t control our own fate at that point.
2. Root for Georgia for sure. Sets up potential matchup with Cincinnati - that’s a good thing.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:40 PM ^
No chance!
November 28th, 2021 at 4:40 PM ^
If we lose to Iowa we aren't going to the playoffs. They'll slide us down to 5 or 6. Rose Bowl in that case.
Georgia to win the SEC title game. Assuming we beat Iowa, we'll be (remain as I think we'll be no. 2 this week) the no. 2 seed and get to play the 3 seed and then possibly Georgia for the championship.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:43 PM ^
If we lose next Saturday that would mean Iowa would be the BIG champions, thus sending Iowa to the Rose Bowl, right?
November 28th, 2021 at 4:53 PM ^
I don't know that the Rose Bowl has to take the B1G champ, do they?
November 28th, 2021 at 5:04 PM ^
Yes Iowa automatically gets the Rose Bowl. Michigan and OSU would fill at large NY6 bids in all likelihood and push MSU down to Citrus bowl
November 28th, 2021 at 6:51 PM ^
So there would be a little upside. . .
November 29th, 2021 at 5:31 AM ^
Uh no, there’s no upside in losing a conference title and missing out on the playoff…
November 28th, 2021 at 4:45 PM ^
Don't plan on us losing. However, Iowa would be going to the Rose Bowl in that scenario according to The Tournament of Roses selection process.
The selection process for the Rose Bowl Game has, in a sense, gotten easier in the College Football Playoff (CFP) era. In what is known as a “traditional” Rose Bowl Game year, like the 2021-22 college football season, the Rose Bowl Game is contractually obligated to feature the Pac-12 Conference Champion and the Big Ten Conference Champion.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:54 PM ^
Ok, thanks. I stand corrected.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:49 PM ^
Yeah a loss sends Iowa to the rose bowl because they won’t make the playoffs
November 28th, 2021 at 4:41 PM ^
WIN. THE. GAME.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:42 PM ^
1) technically yes, realistically no
2) Georgia is going to the playoff either way. if they beat Bama in the SEC game, that may eliminate Bama from contention (but no guarantee). Beat Iowa and we will be #2 or possibly #3, so most likely won't have to play Georgia until the finals. I'd really prefer to play any of Cincy, ND or OSU (the one that wins big games--Oklahoma St) over Bama. So let's hope UGA beats Bama's pants off.
I do not expect to get atomically subbed by any of the teams in the field. Did you see us play yesterday?
November 28th, 2021 at 4:43 PM ^
Does Alabama pass us if both teams win?
I'm really hoping for a Cincinnati first round matchup. And not just because I live in Cincinnati.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:09 PM ^
Yes. In that scenario, Alabama will be 1, Michigan 2, Georgia 3. IMO.
November 28th, 2021 at 7:14 PM ^
If Michigan is #2 and beats Iowa, do they go to Dallas or Miami?
November 28th, 2021 at 4:43 PM ^
Iowa is a “playoff game”. Win or go home.
It doesn’t matter who we would potentially play in the playoffs. Pick the best 4.
Alabama should lose to Georgia because they are mediocre and overrated this year and more importantly to avoid two SEC teams (undeserved) in the playoffs.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:43 PM ^
Need UGA to win. If not, then UM will play UGA in the 2v3 game.
They will be in Dallas in the 2v3 game for sure if they beat Iowa.
November 28th, 2021 at 7:04 PM ^
Is the 2-3 game in Dallas for sure? Was really hoping it would be in Miami
November 28th, 2021 at 7:19 PM ^
Alabama has been remarkably pedestrian this year. If Georgia loses to them then I wouldn't really be overly afraid of facing them in the 2v3 matchup.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:48 PM ^
Definitely want Georgia to beat Bama to ensure UM (if they beat Iowa) getting the 2 vs 3 game against Cincinnati, leaving Okla st or Notre Dame to face Georgia
November 28th, 2021 at 4:50 PM ^
(I know we probably expect to be atomically shtupped by either, but after Hassan Haskins went full Biakabatuka, anything is possible, guys.)
i’m not sure what else you need to see, but i promise you - this locker room is ready and willing to take on anyone, and i mean anyone. there’s no reason to think we’ll get “anatomically shtupped” by anyone.
just enjoy the ride.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:08 PM ^
Word. I would think Michigan would be (rightly) favored over every team other than Georgia, and that line would be under one score.
There really isn't a way in which Michigan would play Bama in Round 1, but I think this team would welcome that game. Sure it would be a tough game, but I think the team, and the public, would expect MICH to win. And no matter what, we are CERTAINLY not getting blown out by anyone. This ain't MSU or ND sneaking into the playoff.
If anything it feels like the offense could actually go up another level. They hardly used Anthony, receiving Edwards, and Corum yesterday. All was not targeted much. JJ was in for very few plays.
November 28th, 2021 at 7:36 PM ^
I don't think M would be favored over Bama, but I do think we would cover a close spread and win.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:51 PM ^
We would need at least 2 and maybe 3 of these games to go our way. Georgia over Bama, Oklahoma over Oklahoma State, Houston over Cinci, and Utah over Oregon.
November 28th, 2021 at 7:16 PM ^
Big 12 game is : OK state vs Baylor
November 28th, 2021 at 4:52 PM ^
I don’t think anyone is shtupping Michigan. And we definitely want Georgia to beat Bama otherwise we might go up against Georgia in the semifinal game if/when we beat Iowa. If we somehow lose to Iowa we’re not getting in
November 28th, 2021 at 4:53 PM ^
You don't get to this point by being stinkily mediocre.
Not flashy, uninspiring? Sure. But this is a solid team that can beat anyone on any day. We'll need to play well.
Also, did you just shit on Iowa and then turn around and ask if we could make the playoff if we lost to said shit team?
November 28th, 2021 at 4:55 PM ^
Also, win and I think Cincinnati may be the most likely opponent.
Georgia knocks Bama out.
1. Georgia
2. Michigan
3. Cincinnati
4. Oklahoma St.
5. Notre Dame
...Cincinnati, I believe in Dallas (Miami is closer to Athens and Dallas would be advantage Okie St.)
But, just win Saturday and enjoy the show on Sunday.
November 28th, 2021 at 5:03 PM ^
Would love to see up play Cincinnati!
Wasn't there some bitter dialogue between Harbaugh and Fickell after the James Hudson transfer? Hudson's transfer waiver was denied by the NCAA and Fickell tried to blame Harbaugh as I recall.
November 28th, 2021 at 5:43 PM ^
I think that bitter dialog ended when Luke Fickell became too busy trying to pass 4th grade, and convincing others that it was "cool to pee your pants".
November 28th, 2021 at 6:21 PM ^
You are correct.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:54 PM ^
We can really do this now. Cool.
Georgia winning probably eliminates Bama, which is good both from a macro health-of-the-sport standpoint and from a competitive I’d-rather-not-play-them standpoint. Bama loses, we win? We’re likely a #2 seed and our opponent is someone from the Cincinnati/Notre Dame/Oklahoma State pool of teams. Not gimmes, but winnable games.
And then Georgia in the final if we get there, playing with house money and a small but puncher’s chance.
I mean, it’s unlikely. But so was yesterday. I’d be delighted to be proven wrong.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:54 PM ^
First of all, I don't expect anything. Iowa will naturally come out and play their best game of the year. Nothing matters without that W. Beat Iowa.
IF M wins, I don't see a likely scenario with a game against Ga or Bama until a potential NC game. I don't see either team winning a blowout, so a close Ga win keeps them 1, M 2, Bama out (unless Cincy and OkSt lose, then that'll ND 3, Bama 4). If Bama wins a tight one, M could end up the 1 and Ga/Bama could play again as the 2/3. Only Bama thrashing Ga (which I can't fathom) splits them between 1/3 or 2/4. And if it's that embarrassing of a loss for Ga, they could slide out of the top 4 with Cincy, OkSt and/or ND moving up.
Regardless, only 3 teams are guaranteed (should be guaranteed) to be in if they win next week: M, Ga, Bama. Everyone else needs help.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:56 PM ^
My fear would be that Bama beats Georgia and jumps to 1, and UM/Georgia land at 2/3 (the order wouldn't really matter). Cinci/OK St/ND at 4.
So I am definitely rooting for Georgia next weekend
November 28th, 2021 at 5:47 PM ^
I share that fear. I'm counting on Bama winning by very little if they do and that yesterday's win is still the most impressive in all of CFB so far this year, so hopefully it'll have some final poll sway.
It'll come down to whether the committee allows/wants a rematch so quickly.
November 29th, 2021 at 2:38 AM ^
GA is not sliding out of the top-4 even if they lose badly, given how much the committee loves Alabama, they would not hold it against GA.
November 28th, 2021 at 4:56 PM ^
No
Georgia
November 28th, 2021 at 5:00 PM ^
Ideally Georgia beats bama and it’s 1) Georgia 2) Michigan 3) Cincinnati 4) Ok St or ND
November 28th, 2021 at 5:12 PM ^
Bingo. Then we get to see M wreck Fickell and go 2-0 against the state of Ohio.
And as a born and raised Ohioan and lifetime M fan, that'd be so sweet.
November 28th, 2021 at 5:04 PM ^
So, this is my pet conspiracy theory, but I'm really hoping if there's any questionable doings in the Iowa game, they're in our favor, as the conference probably really wants a team in the playoff, and Iowa and OSU can't do it.
November 28th, 2021 at 5:13 PM ^
Love it. I'm all in on that. M should dismantle Iowa without any help but just in case, I love your theory lol.
November 28th, 2021 at 5:05 PM ^
Beat Iowa. That right now is the playoff game.
November 28th, 2021 at 5:09 PM ^
Beat Iowa. Focus.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:01 PM ^
I await my assignment from Coach Harbaugh. Until then, as fans, let's speculate away and have fun