By: Mike from Pittsburgh
Michigan is one of the four best teams in college football. The Wolverines have 3 wins against current CFP top-10 teams, the most of any team in the nation. Michigan's two losses came by a combined 4 points. The Maize and Blue fell to 5th in this week's College Football Playoff Rankings and Wolverine fans must now spend this weekend watching games that are supposed to have an impact on whether or not Michigan gets back into the top four, clinching a playoff berth. Unfortunately for Michigan fans, regardless of which teams lose this weekend, the Wolverines will not move back into the top four. I'm not a big conspiracy guy, nor do I think Michigan football is cursed. However, I do have eyes and a brain.
Editor's note: small brain
I also have a heart that has been hurt by Michigan football far more than it's been healed. Before you get your hopes up, let me let you in on a little secret. Bad breaks don't even out. It may feel like Michigan football is due for some things to go their way. This will never, ever happen. In an attempt to save my fellow Michigan fans some time this weekend allow me to provide you with what to expect begining with Friday Night's Pac-12 Championship Game.
PAC-12 Championship Game, Friday at 9PM on FOX
#8 Colorado vs. #4 Washington
So it turns out that Colorado team Michigan beat by 17 is actually pretty good. Washington is expected to win this game, but Washington hasn't defeated a team as good as Colorado all season. This game will likely be as close as it is long. Expect to be up well past midnight to see Michigan's chances of replacing Washington in the four spot dissapear with a Husky win. I wouldn't be shocked by a Colorado upset Friday night. However, that would simply provide more pain when Michigan is left out of the top four Sunday afternoon. I've loved Michigan football long enough to know how this ends.
Prediction: Washington 59-Colorado 57 (7 OT, with the game ending at approx. 4:37 a.m. EST)
Big Ten Championship Game, Saturday at 8PM on FOX
#7 Penn State vs. #6 Wisconsin
How much excitement can Gus Johnson muster up for the inevitable game winning field goal by Wisconsin to make it 3-0 six minutes into the 1st quarter? It's tough to sound excited when the defense does nothing to force the incompletion that will end this game one way or the other (it will probably be an underthrown ball). Michigan is better than both these team. Granted, I'm basing this solely on the fact that Michigan played both these teams this year and won. This game will be unwatchable and that's why tickets are going for less than the cost of one hour's worth of minimum-wage work. Youd have to pay me a lot more than $7.25 an hour to watch this game in person.
Prediction: Wisconsin 3-Penn State 0
As poorly played as this game will be, I think Wisconsin jumps Michigan if the Badgers win. Wisconsin would lose by 60 to Alabama in the CFP semi-final, but there's no way two Big Ten teams get into the playoff with neither team even winning their division.
None of this is relevant though if Clemson wins.
ACC Championship Game, Saturday at 8PM on ABC
#23 Virginia Tech vs. #3 Clemson
FWIW, I think Clemson is better than both Ohio State and Michigan. If I had to pick one current college player to win me a game it would be DeShaun Watson. The rules of football require two teams to participate and Virginia Tech is a football team, thus making them eligible to participate in the ACC Championship Game. Virginia Tech lost to Syracuse this year 31-17. Last week Syracuse gave up 71 points to Pitt. There is no way Tech wins this game.
Prediction: Clemson 72-Virginia Tech 16
So where does all this leave Michigan?
Out of the playoffs. It's not happening. Even if both Washington and Clemson lose, the comitee will find a reason to keep Michigan out. I recommend planning for the inevitable. Somehow Michigan is going to be left out of a New Year's Six game. I don't know how this would even work logistically, but I'm sure there's a way. At the begining of this season I dreamed of Michigan finishing the season in Tampa. They just might do it. Hopefully the Wolverines are competing on behalf of team Bloomin' Onion.
Editor's note: small brain
I also have a heart that has been hurt by Michigan football far more than it's been healed. Before you get your hopes up, let me let you in on a little secret. Bad breaks don't even out. It may feel like Michigan football is due for some things to go their way. This will never, ever happen. In an attempt to save my fellow Michigan fans some time this weekend allow me to provide you with what to expect begining with Friday Night's Pac-12 Championship Game.
PAC-12 Championship Game, Friday at 9PM on FOX
#8 Colorado vs. #4 Washington
So it turns out that Colorado team Michigan beat by 17 is actually pretty good. Washington is expected to win this game, but Washington hasn't defeated a team as good as Colorado all season. This game will likely be as close as it is long. Expect to be up well past midnight to see Michigan's chances of replacing Washington in the four spot dissapear with a Husky win. I wouldn't be shocked by a Colorado upset Friday night. However, that would simply provide more pain when Michigan is left out of the top four Sunday afternoon. I've loved Michigan football long enough to know how this ends.
Prediction: Washington 59-Colorado 57 (7 OT, with the game ending at approx. 4:37 a.m. EST)
Big Ten Championship Game, Saturday at 8PM on FOX
#7 Penn State vs. #6 Wisconsin
How much excitement can Gus Johnson muster up for the inevitable game winning field goal by Wisconsin to make it 3-0 six minutes into the 1st quarter? It's tough to sound excited when the defense does nothing to force the incompletion that will end this game one way or the other (it will probably be an underthrown ball). Michigan is better than both these team. Granted, I'm basing this solely on the fact that Michigan played both these teams this year and won. This game will be unwatchable and that's why tickets are going for less than the cost of one hour's worth of minimum-wage work. Youd have to pay me a lot more than $7.25 an hour to watch this game in person.
Prediction: Wisconsin 3-Penn State 0
As poorly played as this game will be, I think Wisconsin jumps Michigan if the Badgers win. Wisconsin would lose by 60 to Alabama in the CFP semi-final, but there's no way two Big Ten teams get into the playoff with neither team even winning their division.
None of this is relevant though if Clemson wins.
ACC Championship Game, Saturday at 8PM on ABC
#23 Virginia Tech vs. #3 Clemson
FWIW, I think Clemson is better than both Ohio State and Michigan. If I had to pick one current college player to win me a game it would be DeShaun Watson. The rules of football require two teams to participate and Virginia Tech is a football team, thus making them eligible to participate in the ACC Championship Game. Virginia Tech lost to Syracuse this year 31-17. Last week Syracuse gave up 71 points to Pitt. There is no way Tech wins this game.
Prediction: Clemson 72-Virginia Tech 16
So where does all this leave Michigan?
Out of the playoffs. It's not happening. Even if both Washington and Clemson lose, the comitee will find a reason to keep Michigan out. I recommend planning for the inevitable. Somehow Michigan is going to be left out of a New Year's Six game. I don't know how this would even work logistically, but I'm sure there's a way. At the begining of this season I dreamed of Michigan finishing the season in Tampa. They just might do it. Hopefully the Wolverines are competing on behalf of team Bloomin' Onion.