What's your general rooting interest rule? Picks this weekend?
Few important/relevant games this weekend. As a rule, I generally like chaos, and it seems most people like big upsets when it doesn't involve their team. Others prefer chalk. As nice as it was to see OSU got absolutely embarrassed, and in such humiliating fashion, as a primetime ABC game...it doesn't actually benefit Michigan very much. And actually the loss is causing OSU to fix problems that they may not have fixed, had they not lost. (Sidenote: I feel like the difference between OSU and Michigan on defense is that the Michigan defense is greater than the sum of its parts, where OSU's defense is good because they have so many athletes, not necessarily because of the scheme or playcalling)
So this weekends games:
Are you rooting for Clemson or FSU?
Texas or Ok St?
ND or Navy?
UGA or Fla?
Oklahoma or KState?
PSU or Iowa?
Purdue or MSU?
It seems as though (assuming M wins out) that the toughest competition are LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, and Clemson. I add Clemson because if they were to drop a game, I would guess Michigan and perhaps even Oklahoma (should they win out) would jump them due to poor SOS. Even a game liek Purdue vs MSU...I am thinking I want all Michigan opponents to win every game because it boosts the SOS. But in my heart, I want Iowa and Purdue to roll this weekend.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:07 AM ^
I'll be rooting for sparty, which is quite unusual for me. If they lose, they may likely throw in the towel against OSU. But if they can get healthy and get some confidence, they could beat OSU and have us clinch the division before the final week.
That said, if they lose I will still be quite happy.
I'll be rooting against PSU. Hoping the players lose confidence in the coaches and are ready to break when we play them.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:45 AM ^
I kind of think a Sparty loss this weekend actually increases the odds they beat OSU. First because, well, that's the kind of shit Sparty does. Second because OSU won't see it as a chance to avenge the beating Purdue gave them last weekend. Lastly, a pathetic, crippled Sparty might get overlooked by the Buckeyes. Also, I'm probably just looking for reasons to root for more Sparty misery.
So I'd like to see Sparty lose to Purdue. I'd like to see Iowa break Penn State. Losses by Clemson, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Texas would all be good for Michigan. Seeing Georgia continue to slide out of the conversation of the elite would be good too.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:08 AM ^
I don't like to play these games. Especially games our rivals play in. When it benefits both ways, I just don't root or root as the game goes along.
Clemson or FSU? I honestly don't care. I don't like either team. I don't hate either team. Bad FSU is funny. Good FSU is good for college football. Clemson losing 1 game won't take them out of the playoff hunt imo.
Texas or Ok St? Let's just elimintate the Big 12 from the playoff race already. Gooooo OK State. A Texas win isn't horrible because Good Texas is good for college football. It also is good for Maryland which is good for Michigan in a round about way.
ND or Navy? ND win our loss to them looks good. Navy win we get to laugh at ND.
UGA or Fla? Georgia wins they are the team with the 2nd best chance at playoff from SEC. Florida wins they are the team with 2nd best chance at playoff from SEC. Either way if the winner of this game beats an undefeated Alabama in the SEC Championship game, the SEC has a strong chance at 2 playoff teams again. Which is horseshit.
Oklahoma or KState? Let's just elimintate the Big 12 from the playoff race already. Gooooo KState.
PSU or Iowa? Iowa. Fuck Penn State.
Purdue or MSU? Don't want to play Purdue in the B1G Championship, but also fuck Michigan State. So neither is good.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:09 AM ^
Hoping that Tennessee loses the rest of the way..
October 26th, 2018 at 11:09 AM ^
This is pretty easy if you are a M fan:
Clemson or FSU? FSU
Texas or Ok St? Ok St
ND or Navy? Navy
UGA or Fla? Florida
Oklahoma or KState? KState
PSU or Iowa? Long tough hard hitting game.....
Purdue or MSU? Purdue
Bonus: Saban retires.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:31 AM ^
I agree with most of this. We want FSU, Okie St, Florida, KState, Purdue
I think we'd rather see ND win out. Unless we can see them getting 2 losses.
Definitely want Bama over LSU. We don't want a 1-loss SEC non champ getting into the playoffs.
Stanford over Wazzu. And every other 1 loss team to lose again.
I think we'd want PSU over Iowa, unless we want to see Iowa sneak their way into the B1G CG with a Wisconsin loss to either NW or Purdue. If PSU wins, then we get the chance for another ranked win, at home. If PSU loses, then we definitely want Iowa in the B1G CG for a shot at a big ranked win (and also #RevengeTour on Iowa). But Iowa needs help to get there, and can we rely on someone upsetting a wounded Wisconsin?
October 26th, 2018 at 11:12 AM ^
I always root against OSU, MSU, ND, FSU, Florida.
I root for the two UMs (Michigan obvs, and YTM).
Other than that, CHAOS or anything that directly helps Michigan's standings.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:12 AM ^
Semper Fortis.
Go Navy.
Whatever happens, happens. We can watch it unfold, stress free. This is the joy of the Bye Week. Err, I mean, the "Improvement Week." Sorry, Jim.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
At this point I would think we would want chaos everywhere except in the big ten and SEC. Clemson and ND to lose, Texas/Oklahoma/WVU to lose again. Nobody will look at the game vs MSU as a SOS boosting win so I hope Purdue wins.
I'm torn on the PSU vs Iowa game. I think Iowa is likely the best team in the West and would be highly ranked if we were to play them with a chance to make a statement in Indy. But that also means PSU would lose 3/4 going into our game so that wouldn't look like a good win for M. A PSU win opens the door for a potential 3 loss champ from the west since Wisconsin, Purdue, and NW all took Ls in the OOC.
I'm not particularly keen on the idea of Bama losing to LSU next week then both of those teams winning out. One loss LSU, Georgia or Florida winning the SEC while Bama murders every other team on their schedule makes me think there would be 2 SEC teams in there even if ND is still in the mix.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:21 AM ^
I live in the Atlanta area and Georgia fans are mostly annoying. Not because they are good as much as it is that they play in the SEC. Maybe it's because I'm in Atlanta that I see it more, but it seems that Georgia fans are the worst and most outspoken about how they are better than anyone else because they are in the SEC. I mean outside of one year they've done jack shit in the SEC, but the B1G to them is a joke and OSU would maybe be on the same playing field as Kentucky if they were in the SEC. So for me, watching LSU grind them up 2 weeks ago was nice and as much as Florida irritates me I want them to curb stomp GA this weekend as well.
I felt very similar about the Falcon's when they were in the superbowl. Made me very happy to watch that meltdown. Maybe Atlanta sports fans in general are the worst.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:23 AM ^
Msu to lose.
Besides that - whatever works the best to keep Osu out of the playoffs if they happen to win out.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:25 AM ^
Purdue and bye v. Ohio St
October 26th, 2018 at 11:27 AM ^
The answer is always root against Sparty. To be honest whoever we play in Big Ten won't end up hurting us that bad whether they win or lose, unless everyone goes .500 in league someone we play will have a good enough record to make us look good and this year that is undoubtedly Wisconsin, PSU and OSU. But at the end of the day, win out and the only team we have lost too is probable playoff bound Notre Dame, that should get us in.
So that said I root against teams I hate and for teams I like. I hate OSU, MSU, ND and PSU. I'll root against them everytime.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:27 AM ^
Clemson or FSU? FSU, but they have no shot
Texas or Ok St? OK St. Eliminate TX
ND or Navy? Navy, never root for UD. Navy has no shot
UGA or Fla? Fla
Oklahoma or KState? KState. Eliminate OK
PSU or Iowa? Iowa, hate PSU
Purdue or MSU? Purdue, hate MSU
October 26th, 2018 at 11:28 AM ^
Clemson or FSU? - FSU; They almost had Miami, so I'm hoping Taggart has something for Clemson. I would love to see Clemson lose because bagmen (ref: Rashan Gary).
Texas or Ok St? - Okie St because mullet. LOL!! UT is a fraud and OSU can put some points up against their defense.
ND or Navy? - I was in the Navy, so Go Navy!!! But it ain't happening...
UGA or Fla? - UF, because fuck UGA.
Oklahoma or KState? - KSU, but it ain't happening...
PSU or Iowa? - I think Iowa is a paper tiger based on no schedule, but PSU is a shell of what they were last year. I think the White Out atmosphere, on a 3:30 kick, will help... I'll LMAO @ whoever loses, so I don't care.
Purdue or MSU? - Fuck Sparty. Don't care if they ever win another game...
October 26th, 2018 at 11:32 AM ^
The only game ill try to watch is UF vs Georgia. I'll root for UF because my brother in law went there.
And ill root for my liver vs alcohol this weekend.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:34 AM ^
My general rule is that OSU, MSU, NDSucks, and PSU can eat dicks every weekend from now until the end of time.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:34 AM ^
Are you rooting for Clemson or FSU? FSU
Texas or Ok St? Okie St
ND or Navy? I really wish Navy would win, but alas...probably smarter to root for ND
UGA or Fla? Meteor
Oklahoma or KState? KState
PSU or Iowa? PSU, so they have a false sense of security going into next week.
Purdue or MSU? PURDUE
October 26th, 2018 at 11:48 AM ^
Almost put meteor for FLA v UGA as well. Screw both of em. But I think I hate FLA a tad more than UGA
October 26th, 2018 at 11:35 AM ^
We should hope that the teams on our schedule win their games, especially if they are playing teams that were not on our schedule. IU, MSU (barf), Wisc or NW (take your pick), Neb, Mary, PSU. I can’t do it. I’ll be rooting for Purdue, FSU, Navy, Ok St, and Kan St.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:47 AM ^
FSU
Ok St
Navy
UGA
KSt
Iowa
Purdont
October 26th, 2018 at 11:49 AM ^
This this the revenge tour, so whatever gets Iowa to the B10West championship so we can play them is fine by me. Next up on the tour would be an undefeated ND, followed by Bama as payback for the loss in Jerryworld.
Don't care about the others.
October 26th, 2018 at 12:20 PM ^
If that happens, Bacon will write a book about it.
October 26th, 2018 at 12:35 PM ^
If that happens, we are all going to Salt Lake City for Spring Break, because Michigan will there beating the Utes' asses in an unscheduled scrimmage.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:52 AM ^
I root for whatever is best for Michigan, which would be the following:
Texas loses.
ND wins.
UGA - FLA is a push.
K State wins.
PSU wins.
MSU wins.
October 26th, 2018 at 11:53 AM ^
I generally root for the better academic school or the one that is less likely to be employing bag men.
October 26th, 2018 at 12:03 PM ^
For the most important outcomes as it pertains to Michigan's future (if Michigan wins out what happens with Georgia, ND, whoever, doesn't matter because Michigan will be in the playoff):
NW winning the West would be ideal. They have the lowest ceiling of any team who could make it to Indy... Which is why I doubt they come close to Indy.
Purdue is scary because IF they go off, they go off. But they also aren't great defensively and overall I think Michigan can manage that game well.
Iowa is weird because they are very good defensively, but at the same time they played approximately no one outside of Wisconsin and Iowa's defense is built to play old school Big Ten offenses. Still, Michigan would try to run at them which might not go well.
Wisconsin is walking wounded defensively but if they make it to Indy, that offense can make a game tricky. Better game management 2 weeks ago and that game is closer, possibly uncomfortably so.
So, the games I care about: rooting for NW to beat Wisconsin, Iowa to beat PSU, and I guess MSU to beat Purdue (though I could go either way on that). That would leave the West race in the hands of Iowa and NW which I think Michigan can manage better than the other 2.
October 26th, 2018 at 12:06 PM ^
Oklahoma State. I want to see Texas lose every game. Also I live in Oklahoma so it's nice to see a team other than Oklahoma win football games.
Navy. I don't see it happening, but I always cheer for Navy outside of anytime they might play Michigan.
Florida. I just can't stand Kirby Smart anymore. I want to see that program burn to the ground.
Kansas State. It helps Michigan and then I can listen to sport radio go crazy for a week in Oklahoma. I bet someone will call in and demand Lincoln Riley to be fired.
Iowa. Penn State can suck it.
Purdue. Come on Louisville this coach is really good! And I want to see Sparty miss a bowl game. Come on Maryland, Rutgers and Nebraska, find a way to beat Staee too!
October 26th, 2018 at 12:20 PM ^
I'll be a dispassionate observer. Which I kind of enjoy because it is easier on my stomach lining. Love watching M play obviously but don't enjoy the tension that often comes with it. Tight game, bad calls, dirty opponent, too many commercials, all that.
October 26th, 2018 at 12:25 PM ^
FSU over Clemson. Removes Clemson from undefeated and FSU isn't threatening so it's a no brainer.
Ok St over Texas. Texas one spot behind Michigan is a joke.
Navy over ND. Because to hell with Notre Dame.
Ga over Fl. Hope for an ugly, close game where both look bad. Slightly favor Ga because they have a tougher remaining schedule (UK) and better chance to pick up another L.
KSU over OU.
Iowa over PSU. Because fuck that fanbase.
Purdue over MSU. Because fuck everything about that school.
October 26th, 2018 at 12:26 PM ^
I hope FSU wins as that will help our cause the. OKST. I hate ND but if they keep winning it actually looks good for us as our only lose. I want PSU to win so they are ranked when they come to town and we stomp them and to hell with MSU we stomped them everyone else can now also
October 26th, 2018 at 12:48 PM ^
I'm maybe in the minority but improving our resume for the CFP committee doesn't factor in for me. I am firmly in "take care of your own business and let the rest sort itself out" mode. There are simply two many factors going into the committee's choices. So I will root based on 3 simple rules:
1- Always root against OSU and MSU
2- Always root for the Big Ten except for OSU and MSU
3- Always root for the underdog (except when rule 3 contradicts rules 1 or 2)
The only exception to that would be a situation where a division (or conference) title is on the line. Less relevant this year, but in past years if OSU and PSU were playing and OSU winning would give Michigan a better chance at winning the division, I might consider rooting for OSU.
October 26th, 2018 at 12:52 PM ^
And actually the loss is causing OSU to fix problems that they may not have fixed, had they not lost.
Well, they'll try to fix their issues. I don't know if they'll actually do it. I mean they've given up 500+ yards about four times now - it's not like this came out of nowhere.
October 26th, 2018 at 12:59 PM ^
I dont care about what others think and what games help Michigan. I want msu, psu and osu to lose every game.
October 26th, 2018 at 1:03 PM ^
I'm hoping for more stratification and separation between the tiers. I want Bama to destroy LSU and Clemson to destroy FSU. I want Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma to lose, to minimize the chances of a Big 12 winner taking a bid. ND I want to either win out or lose two or three games - them dropping 1 game doesn't really help us. Basically, I want Michigan, Bama, and Clemson to win out and everyone else in the top 10 to take one or two more losses, to minimize the chance of some weird ass team jumping us or a good team like Bama or Clemson dropping one and getting the chance to give their conference two bids.
October 26th, 2018 at 1:04 PM ^
Notre Dame every other year can lose every game they play, but this year I'll happily take them winning out to the playoffs.
After that I'll take LSU beating Bama this week and then be hoping they fall to A&M in the last regular season game.
That happens, and Michigan wins out and wins the B1G Title game, that's a 1-2 of Notre Dame vs Michigan with a chance at a rematch for the Natty.
That's asking a lot, but a boy can dream....
October 26th, 2018 at 1:12 PM ^
At this point I think it's better for ND to lose and clear a space for us.
Ix-nay on the "natty" stuff. That beer does not deserve the dignity of being associated with championships.
October 26th, 2018 at 1:12 PM ^
There are very few scenarios in which I would root for MSU and this weekend is not one of them. Add in the fact that every Purdue win pushes Jeff Brohm closer to Louisville (and George Karlaftis closer to Michigan) and the choice becomes pretty easy. Boiler Up!
October 26th, 2018 at 1:24 PM ^
Whatever is best for Michigan is always my rooting interest (unless that means rooting for MSU, OSU, or PSU, which I try to do but just can't).
For this week, seeing all of the favorites (first team on your game list) lose is best. Clemson, Texas, ND, UGA, Oklahoma, PSU, and Purdue. If that were to happen (it won't), Michigan could find itself ranked #2 in the CFP if 'Bama wins out.
The only debatable team in there is ND, which would hurt our SOS, but getting them out of the way is better than improving our SOS. I want Iowa to win because I hate PSU and would love to play Iowa in the B1G Championship.
October 26th, 2018 at 1:27 PM ^
PSU over Iowa - need PSU to be ranked.
Purdue over MSU (though it would be better for us if MSU wins out)
FSU over Clemson
ND not sure - normally would love them to lose but ( like others have pointed out ) having our only loss to another playoff team might be better than a 1 loss ND team that might even push us out if it comes down to them or us in the end.
October 26th, 2018 at 1:27 PM ^
Are you rooting for Clemson or FSU?
Texas or Ok St? Ok St (kills Tx as playoff hopeful)
ND or Navy? Navy (expose ND)
UGA or Fla? Fla (Fla, they have no chance of making playoffs)
Oklahoma or KState? (KState, kills Ok playoff chances)
PSU or Iowa? (PSU, improves our strength of schedule, although i would much rather face Iowa than Purdue in B1G champ game)
Purdue or MSU? (Purdue, can’t ever root for state unless they’re playing osu)
October 26th, 2018 at 1:46 PM ^
- FSU over Clemson (ACC sucks, we need some help Willie)
- Texas over OKSU (Maryland beat Texas, go figure)
- ND over Navy (ND stays undefeated)
- FLA over UGA (need #2 in SEC w/2 losses)
- PSU over Iowa (need PSU to stay ranked)
- MSU sucks and that's no B.S. Purdue by 14
October 26th, 2018 at 1:47 PM ^
I wrote a rooting guide on FB for my friends and family. Here it is again:
Root for Iowa over Penn State ESPN 3:30pm (PSU is in the B1G east and every time a B1G east team takes a loss, UM gets one step closer to winning the B1G east.)
Florida over Georgia. CBS 3:30pm (Georgia has the potential to pass UM in the rankings.)
Oklahoma State over Texas ABC 8pm (Texas has the potential to pass UM in the rankings.)
Florida State over Clemson ABC noon (Clemson is ranked ahead of UM.)
Navy over Notre Dame. CBS 8pm (ND is barely ranked ahead of UM. At this point in the season, UM has clearly improved since it lost at ND, so a ND loss helps UM more than it hurts UM. An ND loss, especially to Navy, would cause ND to plummet in the polls, thus moving UM up a spot. Also, if you truly want to guarantee UM passes ND, then ND needs to lose two games. Gotta start somewhere with ND losing. Might as well be against +25 Navy.)
October 26th, 2018 at 1:56 PM ^
I hope Bama beats LSU. Florida beats Georgia. Wisconsin beats NW. Kstate beats Oklahoma. Perdue beats MSU. PSU beats Iowa. Navy to beat ND. Ok State to beat Texas.
all of this would favor Michigan better. (PSU will be ranked still with a win and hopefully Michigan beats them - boosting resume. Wisc I would like a rematch in the BIG if Michigan makes it because they have no pass game and Nd losing opens up another playoff spot)
October 26th, 2018 at 1:59 PM ^
I may be in the minority here, but don’t we want MSU to win out? It would mean they stay in the top 25 and make our win look that much better.
October 26th, 2018 at 2:08 PM ^
MSU is garbage and won’t be ranked either way unless they pull an upset over OSU. Which would be great to happen!!!!!!! But MSU being ranked at the end of the year is a tall order. 4-3 with 2 of those losses being bad. Granted nw is playing better, but you do not lose to them at home...by 10...on homecoming.
October 26th, 2018 at 2:42 PM ^
FSU TX NAVY FL OK IOWA PUR
October 26th, 2018 at 2:49 PM ^
Beat Penn State.
Root against crappy state schools....Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State. Root against Notre Dame...although an exception this year since they are the only school to have beaten us.
Root for entertaining football games in the rest.
October 26th, 2018 at 3:14 PM ^
Since we will be playing the Boilermakers in the Big Ten Championship game, I want them to win out.
A 9-3 Purdue team, especially as the media darlings, will be a perfect match up for Michigan.
And when we steamroll them in the game cause:
A) Don Brown, nuff said
B) Power running game
C) Patterson to a TRIO of big time receiver (Black, DPJ, Collins) off of play action
Michigan resume will be complete and a CFP berth will be handed out to them regardless of what else happens.
Win out, everything else will take care of itself.
October 26th, 2018 at 3:33 PM ^
My rule of thumb when it comes to rooting interests is root for Michigan with passion unknown to mankind and hate every other team with a passion unknown to mankind not named Michigan Wolverines.