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 8:30 PM ^
The type of post you responded to always makes me chuckle. Do these people really think that they are a part of the team and really need to just focus on the next opponent?
November 28th, 2021 at 5:10 PM ^
We want Georgia to beat Bama, eliminating them completely.
M will win B1G and be #2 seed, and face Georgia in the Nat'l Championship Game after they (Ga. and M) demolish the 3 and 4 seeds, respectively.
November 28th, 2021 at 5:14 PM ^
Not sure, but whatever happens in the game, I expect some Fire Harbaugh posts during and after it.
November 28th, 2021 at 5:21 PM ^
Answers to both your questions:
1. No way UM can get into the CFP if UM loses to Iowa. Too many one-loss teams would pass UM in the CFP poll.
2. All UM fans SHOULD HEAVILY root for Georgia over Alabama. If Alabama takes two losses, they very likely will not get into the CFP, and UM will be virtually guaranteed of a CFP #2 or CFP #3 if UM defeats Iowa. UM would then get to play Cinn, ND or Ok.State. All 3 very winnable games.
If Bama defeated Georgia, Bama would move to CFP#1, UM would likely stay CFP #2, and Georgia would move to CFP #3. Trust me, you dont want UM to play Georgia nor Alabama in the semi-finals. Georgia and Alabama are the only two teams left in all of college football who would be favorites to defeat Michigan.
When we have to play Georgia or Alabama in the CFP, we would rather face them in the NC game (duh.) A Georgia win makes that scenario much more likely for Michigan.
#GoBlue
November 28th, 2021 at 5:21 PM ^
Too soon.
November 28th, 2021 at 5:24 PM ^
OP, what is your primary malfunction?
November 28th, 2021 at 5:36 PM ^
Beat Iowa. That's it.
Iowa has been a pain in our collective asses for as long as I can remember, so I want to beat them handily.
November 28th, 2021 at 5:51 PM ^
If we lose, we don't deserve to get in.
That's not to say Iowa is a bad team, they are not a bad team, and you look past them at your peril.
Michigan needs to go win the Big Ten, something they have not accomplished in a very long time, do that and you're in. Yeah, yeah, I know we're all fans, we're not the players, but what you saw yesterday was the systemic arrogance of the Ohio State program. They felt entitled to beat Michigan every year. That's the culture of the fans, players and coaches.
Let's not be that. Let's be grateful for the opportunity and take Iowa seriously.
November 28th, 2021 at 5:59 PM ^
To #1 - No
November 28th, 2021 at 6:04 PM ^
Please don’t call Iowa an automatic win. Ferentz is a hell of a coach and has fuked our season more than once. There may also be a hangover for the team after slaying the dragon yesterday. A win gets us in and if cincy wins and bama vs Georgia are close then we’ll be 2 or 3 and Cincy will be 4. The committee doesn’t want Cincy in the playoffs but will have no choice. As far as who I’d rather face? No doubt Bama. I think we matchup well with them in all categories, not so much against Georgia.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:12 PM ^
I could see Cincinnati being the 3 seed. I wouldn't be positive we won't play them first game if we manage to beat Iowa.
The only thing I feel confident about is if they do take a 2 loss Bama, which would be kinda horseshit after how the Iron Bowl went, they will intentionally manipulate the seeding to avoid a first round rematch.
November 28th, 2021 at 10:52 PM ^
Thankfully, the rematch issue is the biggest reason Bama won't make the CFP, because there's no 2-loss Bama scenario other than Georgia in the 1 seed and Bama in the 4 seed.
Generally the committee would contort things as much as possible to get a 2-loss Bama in. But no one anywhere outside Tuscaloosa is going to want to watch back to back Georgia-Bama games, and ironically probably the biggest complaints would be from the SEC's own UGA.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:07 PM ^
Interesting (but maybe irrelevant) that half of ESPN's panel has Alabama at #5 behind OK State already, after yesterday. The first three were unanimous except for Connelly putting Cincinnati ahead of Michigan (I think the guy has a screw loose but he seems to be respected around here) but #4 was split 7-7.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:14 PM ^
There would have to be mass chaos for that to happen. But let's say this happens:
1. Georgia crushes Alabama, by 3 or more touchdowns.
2. Iowa beats Michigan in a close game
3. Baylor beats Oklahoma State
4. Houston beats Cincinnati
5. Utah beats Oregon.
In that scenario, Georgia is 1 and Notre Dame is 2. My guess is Baylor is 3. Couldn't Michigan be 4 if that happens?
November 28th, 2021 at 6:23 PM ^
Could they? Sure. Would they? Nope.
Also...what's the point of going down this road?
November 28th, 2021 at 6:33 PM ^
No real reason, other than it was brought up in the thread.
I'm in the "Beat Iowa and worry about the rest later" camp.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:19 PM ^
Here’s who I’m rooting for: Georgia, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State, & anybody that’s playing, Ohio State, Michigan State, or Notre Dame. Oh, that’s right, those last 3 aren’t playing. Fuck those guys anyway.
November 28th, 2021 at 6:42 PM ^
If you're into rooting interest outside of Michigan this weekend, root for Georgia, Cincinnati, and Baylor.
Then your CFP is Georgia, Michigan, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame, in that order.
November 28th, 2021 at 7:42 PM ^
We need Georgia to blowout Bama. Even though I think we can match up with any team, I would rather face Cincy, ND or whatever other team gets the 4th. I still wouldn't be surprised regardless of the outcome, of having Bama still making it. If Bama wins, they'll make sure that they both won't potentially play each other until the title game. Bama has 2 mindsets, the first being just being competitive in every game. The second, is the one that kicks in when it matters most, when they get to this part of the season. If they make it, win or lose, that mentality will kick in and that's scary. I almost want to face Georgia first. Matchup wise, I think the TTDS, was our toughest and every other potential playoff team, is similar to us. We just have to have the right mentality and avoid distractions, trash talking and nerves