Friday Talk: With eight teams advancing to the postseason, which teams should Michigan support? Which playoff scenario gives the university of Michigan the best chance to win a national championship?
Yes, I am well aware that this entire article will be rendered obsolete if Michigan doesn’t defeat Iowa tomorrow night. Let’s assume that Michigan wins easily tomorrow because if they lose, the death of this article would be the least of our worries. Who should Michigan supporters support in the remaining conference finals?
Obviously, a national championship is the ultimate goal. To eliminate any possible subplots from our logic—such as playing a Pac-12 team in the Rose Bowl just for nostalgia’s sake or defeating Ryan Day once more—that is the only reason I even feel the need to bring it up. In light of this, what plausible situation gives Michigan the best opportunity to raise the trophy?
First, the obvious: Georgia, the reigning national champions, would have to be eliminated from the playoffs completely, or at the very least, not face Michigan in the opening round. I don’t believe I’m making a bold statement when I say Georgia poses the greatest danger to Michigan. Georgia must lose to Alabama in the SEC Championship in order for Georgia to be eliminated.
The fact that Florida State is susceptible is the next most evident logical conclusion. With Tate Rodemaker not exactly blowing everyone away and Jordan Travis out for the season, I believe it’s safe to say that the Seminoles are everyone’s dream first-round opponent. Florida State would need to defeat Louisville on Saturday in order for this to occur.
In all likelihood, one of the two Pac-12 teams will qualify for the CFP. Though they aren’t playing their best football right now, Washington is still unbeaten. On the other hand, Oregon is dominating offensively and has only lost once, against Washington; this is the reason the Ducks are favored by 9.5 on a neutral field tonight. I’ll be cheering for the Huskies because, in my opinion, Michigan should be more concerned about Washington than Oregon.
We would then see Michigan move up to No. 1, Washington move up to No. 2, and then there would be some drama for the Nos. 3 and No. 4 spots, with Florida State probably holding at least one of them at this point (Michigan, Alabama, Florida State, and Washington winning). This is the point of ambiguity.
