It's CFP or the Orange Bowl

Submitted by umbig11 on

I won't be surprised if we make the CFP, but we will be the first choice of the Orange Bowl Committee. The Rose will be taking PSU or Wisky. Just passing on the news. (We finished third in the East and the traditional Rose Committee will take a Divisional winner). Likely opponents from the ACC are Va Tech, Clemson, Louisville, or FSU.

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nappa18

November 27th, 2016 at 10:16 PM ^

I'm still upset but in all honesty this picture was taken a second after Barrett reached for the line with his right hand and was pushed back by Wormley. Did he "break the plane"? Can't say, too close to call. If you watch the game tape, Barrett rolled his right shoulder to the line and then was pushed back by Wormley. Was it a first down? Damn if I know? Sucks I know. But the picture is misleading. It was a lot closer.

Joined: 07/08/2011

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Gucci Mane

November 27th, 2016 at 11:37 PM ^

It was not a lot closer. You can tell by the placement of Barret's hand. His hand never passed the point it is at in this picutre. Its possible he had anohter inch or 2 but certainly no more.

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kevin holt

November 27th, 2016 at 8:05 PM ^

You wouldn't be surprised if we made the CFP? Does the staff have any sort of inkling that could happen (based on more than wishful thinking) or just your own speculation? Man it would really help me feel a whole lot better if we ended up making it. Obvious statement but I really think we're a top 4 team and the CFP would just need a reason to justify the same.

Joined: 03/16/2010

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bluesalt

November 27th, 2016 at 8:23 PM ^

But it's certainly not out of the question. I'd be shocked if we're lower than 6th this week, and probably 5th. The committee hasn't liked Washington all year (and rightfully so with their non-conference schedule), so even 4th wouldn't be surprising. Certainly if Colorado beats Washington next week, that helps a ton, because it removes them from the equation, and means we'd have beaten two 11-2 conference champs (with the other being the winner of the B1G championship.) Will one of those teams leapfrog us, even though we've beaten them all, have better wins, and the same record as of this week? It's possible, obviously, but it depends if they're wedded more to conference champs, or overall performance, strength of schedule, and head-to-head results. They've tried to indicate the latter in general. Now, I do think Washington will beat Colorado, because strength of schedule not withstanding, the eye test supports Washington being the better team. But if Colorado wins, it could be all that we need.

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I dumped the Dope

November 27th, 2016 at 8:46 PM ^

it all boils down to this.  Someone has to play Bama in the first round of the CFP.

TV ratings and whatnot (read: MONEY) would logically depend on someone seemingly able to at least give them a run for their money in the first round of 1v4.

Who is best to give Bama an actual game people are going to be buzzing to see...its not Wisc or PSU.  OSU by emerging w askterisked victory, would go to the 2v3 game.

Who else would fit this bill?  I don't think Clemson.  They will probably get in but their biggest win would seem to be Louisville who has suddenly fallen on their sword.  They seem like good fodder for OSU.

Washington?  Possibly.  Havent seen them play an actual game to evaluate their play, and they could get sayonara'd by Colorado.  If Liufau is dropping dimes like he did in the first half and their damn receivers can get some pine tar for their gloves its gonna be lights out Washington.  This also opens the door to logic of "M previously thrashed Colorado the P12 champ in head-to-head competition".  If Washington drops Colorado like Jake Blues dropped Carrie Fisher then they would probably hold an edge going 12-1.

[Edit: there is also the "common opponent test of Rutgers" where teams like M (and OSU) treated them like a high school opponent whereas Washington did not (48-13) but still early in the season.]

However: I see a very thin line between M and Washington in the race to "give Bama a test".  Michigan has been prominently displayed on ABC almost every game of the season.  Perhaps clarity after next week, but I'm beginning to like our chances more than in the aftermath of Black Saturday.

 

Joined: 09/22/2013

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I dumped the Dope

November 27th, 2016 at 9:30 PM ^

Bama has a lockdown D and has wasted opponents with a combo of traditional power running plus now a running QB.

I can think of a team right now that locked down the nation's top running QB for 3 of 4 quarters, then in the 4th got a gift first down after a 3 and out and then stuffed said QB on 4th down....plus can cover receivers with glue and has the DL & LBs to jam the traditional running game.

Same team can't ever beat Bama between the tackles every down but runs with just enough authority to sell play action and then win matchups against LBs and DBs with TEs, which I don't think is a style of play that Bama has yet faced.

Joined: 09/22/2013

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M-Dog

November 27th, 2016 at 11:44 PM ^

Harbaugh should devote staff to helping scout/game plan for upsets of Clemson and Washington.

I like this.

Send Peppers, Lewis, and Taco to be on their scout team.

Then have them stay around and try on some Va Tech and Colorado unis, you know just for fun.  Maybe have them hang around on the sidelines during the game.  Slip in for a play or two, just for fun.  Who's it gonna hurt?

 

Joined: 07/06/2008

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SeattleWolverine

November 27th, 2016 at 8:09 PM ^

Don't see much upside to playing an ACC team. Florida State could be intriguing but it's kind of annoying to have to play another FL team in FL. No one will give us credit for beating Louisville after the last 2 weeks so only downside. Clemson obviously would be very interesting but I doubt that happens. 

Would rather play Washington or Oklahoma or take it out on an SEC team like Florida or LSU. 

Joined: 11/07/2012

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M-Dog

November 27th, 2016 at 8:44 PM ^

The SEC in football is becomming like the SEC in basketball . . . one great team and a bunch of meh teams.

Except that it's been that way in basketball for so long that the other SEC teams don't even try to ride KY's coat tails.

Nobody thinks of the SEC as a "basketball conference" just because of KY.  They shouldn't think of it as a "football conference" just because of AL either.  At least not this year.

 

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SeattleWolverine

November 27th, 2016 at 9:00 PM ^

I mean, it is like that this year and the trend is definitely to just be Alabama and everyone else. Pretty crazy that Saban is looking at winning his 5th in 8 years.

But still, you've got 4 different SEC schools (Auburn, LSU, Florida) contributing to them winning 8 of the last 10 national championships. Although the LSU one was a huge fluke since they had 2 losses. So probably not quite the same as SEC basketball but yeah, we'll see. Auburn was all Cam Newton. With Florida being weaker without Meyer and Miles gone there is no other SEC program with a track record of the current staff being successful outside of Saban. 

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Lancer

November 27th, 2016 at 8:11 PM ^

Why would you not be suprised? We would need both UW and Clemson to lose, which is unlikely. We would also need the committee to value a 2-loss Big Ten Champion over a 2-loss non-conference champion. Maybe the head-to-head would put us on top Wisconsin and PSU? I wouldn't get my hopes up. I am just hoping OSU doesn't win a national title >.>

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