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Can the Michigan Wolverines make the College Football Playoff?
Yes, it is possible. After the defeat to the Buckeyes, everybody figured that the Wolverines had no chance of making the College Football Playoff. That’s incorrect, because there is a path for Michigan, but not one that they control.
On Tuesday night, the CFP rankings prior to conference championship game weekend looked like this.
These 7 teams are the only ones left with even a slight chance at cracking the 3rd ever College Football Playoff. Realistically, Ohio State and Alabama are locked in – So there are 5 teams left for 2 spots. Clemson and Washington still have work to do in their conference championship game. If they take care of business – they’re in. But what if they don’t?
Michigan is the first team left out in the final CFP Poll. So if Clemson or Washington loses, they’ll step in to #4, right? Not so fast.
Say Washington/Clemson loses… For Michigan, it will all depend on the outcome of the Big Ten Championship. If both teams look underwhelming, they’ll have a good chance. If Wisconsin handily beats Penn State – then Wisconsin would jump over Michigan into the 4 spot.
“But Michigan beat Wisconsin Head to Head!”
They sure did. But that was 8 weeks ago, at Michigan – and Michigan only won by 7. So using a head to head in the situation is definitely not the committees first resort.
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Despite having less impressive wins, Wisconsin would have a stronger resume than Michigan with a win over #7 Penn State in the B1G Championship. With a win there, the Badgers would then have more wins than Michigan, and a conference title.
So what if Washington/Clemson loses and Penn State wins the Big Ten Championship? Michigan is in.
Here is a situation where the head to head becomes relevant. The Wolverines beat the Nittany Lions 49-10… Let that sink in. That is a blowout, and that alone can prove UM is more deserving than PSU. But let’s not stop there.
Penn State also lost to Pittsburgh. Yeah. Sure, both Michigan and Penn State would have 2 losses, but look at the losses. Michigan’s came on a last second FG to Iowa, and a double overtime thriller to Ohio State.
If Penn State makes a statement against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship like Ohio State did in 2014, then we’ve got a real conversation on our hands. But I don’t see that happening.
My prediction – I think both Clemson and Washington win their games, leaving absolutely no chance for Michigan to get in. And I am not mad about that.
This article originally appeared on 
