CFP hypothetical rankings

Doesn't matter, we don't have a home field advantage in either venue, and will have to beat two great teams to get to our goals. 

It is fun to talk about, but it really doesn't make a big difference. 

We will not pass Alabama in the playoff rankings if we both go 13-0, unless we absolutely clobber OSU and whoever we face in the conference championship game. Even then, Alabama might do the same to LSU/Auburn and Florida in the SEC game. No way we pass Bama. 

 

Ideal situation would be:

1. Bama 2. Michigan 3. Clemson 4. Louisville

Lamar Jackson has the game of his life and takes out Bama, our D shuts down Clemson. 

Our D shuts down Jackson in the title game, just like DB did last year at BC (also I want revenge for that horrible 2013 BB title game and all the horrible Cards fans I had to sit by).

I think the question would be, "If we win out is there ANY way our team isn't top 4?" The answer is NO! There are some teams that the answer is yes, and for them more discussion is needed, for us we just need a statement, "Win, and advance." That's what it takes to be a champion. Consider us in a playoff starting November 26. We need to be 2-1 or better to be in that playoff, and it's single elimination from there on.

Alabama is not dropping from #1 without a loss, nor should they. They have clearly looked like the best team this year. Not saying they're not beatable, but they are #1 and deserve that ranking

only after OSU has a 2nd loss.

Yes, if you strippped the names off the resumes, Michigan and Alabama would have extremely similar resumes.

BUT... 'Bama is the reigning champ and will (rightly so) get the benefit of the doubt until someone beats them. This shouldn't be a surpise.

 

Bama is #1 until someone beats them.

 

Keep winning and Michigan gets that a shot at that.

Obviously Bama will be number 1, as they should be as the defending champions.

I don't see how you can say that Michigan has a better body of work if both teams wins out. Alabama has a chance to beat a #15 ranked LSU this week and what probably will be (given they win out as well) top 10 ranked Auburn the last week of the season... THEN they get the SEC Championship game with probably an overrated and overranked Florida in the top ten...

Michigan gets OSU (if they beat Nebraska this week) in the top ten and then hopefully a top ten ranked Wisky or Nebraska (One of them needs to win out). 

I think it would be unfair to jump Alabama if they don't drop a game. 

I look forward to the chance to play them. It will be a tough test as their biggest strength, pass rush, will test our biggest weakness, pass protect. 

...I can only imagine the sound of three things I would like to hear the most if the team wins the natty:

1) The absolute glee coming from the team, our fanbase, alum, students, etc

2) The props from the school south of us - yes, a few of the nutjobs will be nutjobs, but most of them would give props.

3) And this probably isn't listed in terms of importance/desire - the sound of the sparty nation. They would sound like a pack of chihuahuas on meth, but it would sound like a symphony to my ears.

 

Dream over. MD this week. Win with character, win with cruelty. 

This weekend, we're rooting for Nebraska correct?  Guilt free rooting against the Buckeyes.  I typically try to hold out for what's best for Michigan, and can do that with Sparty.  But every time OSU plays I want them taken down, even if a win helps Michigan. 

This Saturday though, an OSU loss hands us the East, even if we lose in Columbus (and no I don't want to lose in Columbus, "Just win the games" guy).  And we'll be in the playoff with a B1G Championship win over Nebraska.  Much rather play Nebraska than Wisky again in that game.  

I WANT Bama in the first game...

 

More time for Harbaugh to prepare.  

 

If we get them in the FINAL, we only have a week...

 

 

What do you see happening if Michigan wins out in the regular season, but loses a close game to 1-loss Nebraska in the BTCG? 

Can both Michigan and Nebraska somehow make the CFP field? There would definitely need to be help (Washington, Louisville, maybe even Clemson losing). 12-1 Michigan and 12-1 Nebraska, along with Alabama and one of Clemson/Washington? 

To me, this really seems like the best scenario to get two B1G teams into the playoff. 

Of course, I'd much prefer Michigan to just run the table and get in undefeated!

I am convinced the Committee will rank Clemson as #2 and we'll be #3.  Now, it doesn't matter--even if its ends up that way, #2 plays #3, it just affects the color of your jersey.  And if the bowl game is smart, they'd do a "color rush" and have us in home blue w/ maize pants, vs. Clemson in home orange -- that would look visually awesome.

But we'll be #3 tonight.  Clemson's strength of schedule is ranked #1, and the committee highly values that.  Their top 3 wins (Louisville, Auburn, FSU--two on the road) look better than our top 3 (Wiscy, Colorado, PSU--all at home).  The one thing that might change the committee's mind:  Clemson should have lost the NC State game -- they were outplayed and only by the grace of God did that chip-shot field goal miss (and the kicker actually made it moments ago, but a last-moment TO made the play not count).  Clemson also didn't play well vs. Troy, but that was week 2 after a win at Auburn and I think that game won't move the needle.

Looking forward, we maybe can jump Clemson by beating OSU then Nebraska or Wiscy.  Clemson has no one good left, and they will probably play VaTech in the ACC championship, not nearly as impressive as our opponent.  Myabe.

Probably does not matter too much now.

Followed by Clemson, Washington and a 1 loss Alabama team at #4.

From a pure SOS standpoint, Clemson > Alabama=Michigan, plus Clemson has already played their 3 toughest games. From a performance standpoint Alabama=Michigan>Clemson. With Alabama as defending champ, they will be #1. Depending on the weight they give the SOS vs performance Clemson and Michigan will be #2 and #3. Washington will be a distant #4 with Louisville and OSU right behind.

Responding to the OP, I still think Bama's resume would be a little more impressive.

 

Bama has beaten Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas A&M who are all overrated.