The win saved OSU’s chances of making the College Football Playoff (CFP), which the top four teams in the country make. This is a team that has scored 40 points or more in three of its last four games and is doing it with good balance.
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None of it will be about WMU.
The CFP selection committee, according to its protocol, determines the top four teams without thought of setting up the seedings to prearrange certain matchups. The No. 13 Broncos (12-0) would likely be a double-digit underdog against any of the top eight teams in the country. Those teams, along with Ohio State, are likely to find themselves in the in the national playoffs. What if they are good enough?
Nobody will every know. However, they do have five victories against teams in the Top 25.
As we approach the final weekend, as the College Football Playoff takes its final permanent shape, everyone has the same question. But Houston or Hornibrook will likely have some problems with the Penn State pass rush in those situations – they allow sacks on almost a tenth of passing downs attempts (101), while that’s about the same rate that Penn State gets sacks on passing downs (19th). What needs to happen for the Michigan Wolverines to claim one of those positions? Wisconsin’s losses are better, but the Badgers’ other loss is a 14-7 defeat at MI. The Buffaloes have played well as an underdog this year, and their only losses came against No. 5 MI and No. 10 USC.
The Big Ten was the toughest conference in college football this season.
My prediction – I think both Clemson and Washington win their games, leaving absolutely no chance for MI to get in. But even if that happens, the Badgers also need Clemson or Washington to lose. There’s no crystal ball.
Yes, Central Michigan should not have gotten an extra play. On paper these two teams are even, but on the field Washington will prove to be the superior team. But doubling the current postseason does far more than give a long shot a chance.
What if there’s a fluke and one of these sure-fire teams lose their conference championships?
The committee is supposed to determine the four best teams. The other two bids would be at-large selections determined by a committee similar to the one that chooses the field now.
Again, too many teams to jump so the Cowboys will not get in. Would the committee be justified in putting three Big Ten teams in the playoff?
Alabama appears to be the one lock, many think even if they lose to Florida in the SEC Championship, the Crimson Tide should be locked into the Final Four. The Gators are out no matter what.
Washington (11-1, 8-1 Pac 12): Like Clemson, Washington should be in with a win. Ohio State received neither of those.
The Wolverines playoff hopes took a substantial hit with the double overtime loss at Ohio State in The Game on Saturday.
The goal of the playoff structure is to choose the best four teams, and considering the Lions lost to Pitt and were dominated by MI, the Buckeyes remain the superior team in the minds of the committee.
Reseed after each round to reward the top teams.
While terrific, important games will undoubtedly be played in the Big 12, SEC and Pac-12 this weekend, the Big Ten holds the key to the playoff.
Wild card: If Oklahoma, now eighth, is especially impressive against Oklahoma State in a de facto Big 12 title game Saturday in Norman and the Big Ten title game is a slog maybe just maybe the committee goes a different direction.
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We will never get a universally accepted answer on ‘SpotGate.’ There will always be the controversies surrounding the refs working that game, but there will never be concrete evidence of the refs and OSU colluding against MI. If there’s anything that 2016 has shown us, it’s that people aren’t interested in what you’ve actually accomplished, just that you bring eyeballs to the TV while you’re doing it.
