CFP hypothetical rankings

Submitted by Sauce Castillo on

Since we aren't the players or coaches we can look ahead to projected end of year hypothetical rankings.  

Assuming Alabama and Michigan go undefeated through the conference championships, who do you think will be ranked #1?

In this scenario I think Michigans body of work is more impressive as long as Colorado and PSU keep winning.  That would give UM wins over 5 teams ranked in the top 25 (CU, PSU, OSU, Wiscy (2)), maybe even a 6th if Iowa wins some more.  

Bama would have wins over A&M, Auburn, UF, LSU, and USC (if they get back in the top 25).

Curious to hear what everyone else thinks, I'll hang up and listen.

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JonnyHintz

November 1st, 2016 at 12:28 PM ^

Right? Seems a little odd of a take. Alabama seems to be one of the more legit schools. I mean we aren't talking about Ole Miss or anything. Over signing is the only shady thing that anyone can legitimately place on Alabama at this point. Anything else is completely unfounded, and usually stems from jealousy (the whole, "you're better than me so you must cheat," deal)

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ChiCityWolverine

November 1st, 2016 at 12:29 PM ^

Dude, this may apply to Ole Miss, but give me a break. Only a jaded fool wouldn't admit Saban is an all-time coach and not see Bama's recent appeal to blue-chip recruits. Saban doesn't need to cheat, and even though they likely are to some degree, that is not the reason they are elite.

There may be more shady practices down in the SEC, whether in recruiting, "medical hardships", etc. but get off your high horse. We all love Harbaugh, but he's essentially pulled scholarships and left recruits scrambling himself. 

I just want to beat them on the field. I don't like all the extra stuff, especially when it's to the detriment of the athletes, but hollow complaints do nothing. 

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FauxMo

November 1st, 2016 at 12:02 PM ^

I want in the CFP as much as anyone else. But I would prefer our CFP game not end in a 400-0 trouncing (to Alabama or anyone else). Just remember, the conventional wisdom after last year about MSU was that they proved the "just didn't belong." I want in the CFP and at the very, very least, prove we belonged... JMHO... 

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M Squared

November 1st, 2016 at 12:56 PM ^

There is a downside to this - you have to play another game following a bruising slugfest with Alabama in the trenches.  I don't know which team plays the "softest" that will make the CFP (Washington? Clemson?) but I would rather play that team first then play Alabama.

Also better for marketing/recruiting to make it to the championship game.

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M Squared

November 1st, 2016 at 3:20 PM ^

To add to my reply, I mean, I chug the Michigan Kool-aid like Nic Cage chugs alcohol in Leaving Las Vegas, but why isn't the analysis here relative?  Wouldn't the month to prepare also help Saban just as much?  I believe Saban has a pretty good bowl record.

#SabanEffect?

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jonesie022

November 1st, 2016 at 3:29 PM ^

Good point, but based on the data available (last year) the Harbaugh effect is real.  Look how we got curb stomped by OSU and then came back and throttled Florida.

 

Bama will be the favorite no doubt, but the extra practice time may narrow the gap (if indeed there is one).  I'd also like to think that a month for Harbaugh to play the psychological card of "no one expects you to win" could work in our favor while everyone spends an extra month telling Bama how great they are.

 

ALL hypothetical at this point of course, but isn't it great to be back and having this discussion in NOVEMBER for a change?!

 

Damn what a difference two years and a competent coaching staff makes.

 

 

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Lan Jiao

November 2nd, 2016 at 12:17 AM ^

Our best chance of winning the title is being able to plan for them. 2014 OSU and this Michigan team have enough size and talent that we want game planning as an x factor that could possible go our way. Saban is King but Urbz and JH are two guys that could out-prepare Saban for one game.

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FauxMo

November 1st, 2016 at 12:05 PM ^

They're only 7 point favorites this weekend at LSU. And crazier things have certainly happened. In fact, Bama has lost one game each year that they probably should not have lost for the last several years (usually early in the season though). Maybe that game is this weekend, and if they drop enough, they might not have time to climb back up. 

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rc15

November 1st, 2016 at 11:18 AM ^

I think it might actually be better to be ranked #3 tonight instead of #2. The goal being if you make it to the CFP, you don't want to play Bama until the championship. If the rankings stay, it doesn't matter if you are #2 or #3, you're playing the same opponent. If Alabama loses a game to LSU/Auburn, but wins the SEC anyways, I would see them as #4 if UM, Clemson, and Washington stay undefeated. In that case, you would want to be ranked #2 instead of #1.

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ijohnb

November 1st, 2016 at 11:22 AM ^

seeds (current/projected win out), I would say:

1. Alabama v. 4. Clemson (Peach Bowl)

2. Michigan v. 3. Washington (Fiesta Bowl)

My actual prediction:

1. Alabama v. 4. Louisville (Peach Bowl)

2. Michigan v. 3. Clemson (Fiesta Bowl)

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DrMantisToboggan

November 1st, 2016 at 11:25 AM ^

I agree. I don't see Washington beating all of USC, WSU, and whoever they get in the PAC12 game, if they get there. Louisville is the next best team and should be undefeated. Unfortunately this probably means Jackson wins the Heisman, but if he can take out Bama I am fine with that.

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ijohnb

November 1st, 2016 at 11:29 AM ^

also think it is possible that Washington loses and Lousville loses to a revitalized Houston team after their come back on Saturday.  Then who we got?  Seriously, who would be next?

Or assuming that turn of events, and Ohio State beats Michigan by a touchdown, how about:

1. Alabama v. 4. Michigan (Peach)

2. Clemson v. 3. Ohio State (Fiesta)

I could see that as well.

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DrMantisToboggan

November 1st, 2016 at 11:34 AM ^

I don't think that we will lose to OSU. If Louisville and Washington or Clemson both lost before the playoffs I think the next up would Texas A&M if they win out. An 11-1 TAMU with wins over LSU and Auburn and only loss to the #1 team would be the next most attractive team. Plus it's a mega-fan base that travels well and would be a rematch of a game against Bama that they led at one point (LOL that's the measuring stick against Bama).

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ESNY

November 1st, 2016 at 2:15 PM ^

Louisville has one good win against FSU that doesn't look so hot now that FSU has lost two more times and might not even be ranked at the end of the season.  The rest of their schedule looks like hot garbage.  I'd rank them behind OSU and TA&M but ahead of Nebraska and the Big 12 teams as far as the 1 loss teams go

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Sambojangles

November 1st, 2016 at 11:27 AM ^

I'm curious how you see Louisville getting in. They would have not even won their division and haven't looked great recently either (the FSU win lost some luster when they lost to UNC and Clemson). I think the committee would take a Pac 12 or Big 12 champ over UL unless some really crazy stuff happens.

It would be a test of the committee though if Louisville and Washington were the only 1-loss teams available for the last spot, and neither won their division (assuming Wassu wins the Apple Cup).

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ESNY

November 1st, 2016 at 2:19 PM ^

Does beating the sense out of a 3 loss (and maybe 4 loss team by the end of the season) really mean that much?  Plus beating a two-loss Houston team (with one of those losses being to a horrible SMU team) is no huge prize

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