Michigan Football: How Wolverines Get into CFB Playoff After No.5 Ranking

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Michigan football is ranked fifth by the College Football Playoff committee heading into championship week, what needs to happen for UM to make the final four?

While Michigan football fans were hoping the Wolverines would stay in the top 4 of the College Football Playoff Rankings, unfortunately, that wasn’t quite the case.

However, Michigan football did get some good news. In the second-to-last installment, the committee ranked UM fifth.  That means the Wolverines playoff hopes, are very much alive.

Certainly, the Wolverines need help. For starters, the team ranked right in front of them, Washington, will need to lose against Colorado Friday night in the PAC-12 championship game.

If that happens, Michigan football has a good chance to make it.

Why? Because the Wolverines not only look like one of the country’s best, it has the marquee wins to prove it. Three top-10 wins and a double-OT loss to No.2 Ohio State, on the road, gives Michigan a compelling argument.

The reality is that if the Huskies are upset, a two-loss team will make the playoff. And as of right now, the Wolverines are the highest-ranked team in that group.

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Listening to the committee chairman, Kirby Hocutt, it’s clear that the they are committed to selecting the four “best” teams.

That word best should be music to the ears of Michigan fans. If the four best teams truly are selected, than UM should feel confident.

Yes, Washington has the edge, but Hocutt said the committee views the Wolverines and Huskies as comparable.

The Huskies have one loss and are playing for a conference title. And if UW beats Colorado and finishes 12-1, it deserves to go.

Yet, if the Huskies falter, Michigan would be competing with Colorado, the BIG champ (Penn State of Wisconsin) and the Big 12 Champ (Oklahoma or Oklahoma State) for the last spot.

In terms of top-10 wins, Michigan currently has three. Penn State has one, the others have none.

Obviously, all those teams could add a top-10 win this week, but still, none would have as many as Michigan.

When you look at the metrics, their play on the field and their quality of wins, it’s clear Michigan still has a path to the College Football Playoff.

And while there is plenty of debate to come, that path for Michigan could be as simple as Colorado beating Washington Friday night.

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