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Ohio State Football: What an Alabama loss means for OSU and Michigan

By Blake Biscardi

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: (R-L) Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines shake hands on the field prior to their game at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: (R-L) Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines shake hands on the field prior to their game at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 20: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during warmups prior to playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 20: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during warmups prior to playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

What it means for Michigan

For the sake of the argument, Michigan wins the Big Ten and the committee is now left with a decision to make. Alabama, Notre Dame, and Michigan, all deserving, will be vying for two spots. Using the messages sent from the first two sets of rankings, I believe the committee will use the head to head results between Notre Dame and Michigan and boost Notre Dame into the playoff.

If they do not choose the Irish over the Wolverines, some will then argue why do we even play the games if head to head results from any point in the season are discarded? The head to head argument is extremely valid because Notre Dame earned their win over Michigan to open the season.

They will also look at common opponents such as Northwestern, who Notre Dame beat soundly aside from the blocked punt in the fourth quarter to make the game appear closer than reality. Northwestern jumped out to a 17-0 lead when they hosted Michigan and it took virtually the duration of the game to overcome the deficit.

Another argument that presents itself is both the Irish and Wolverines being different football teams than when they played early on in the season. I believe the Selection Committee would have to follow this logic when deciding between Notre Dame and Michigan because the game was played, a result was given, and every game matters.

Personally, I believe Michigan right now is the better football team, but that head to head loss would likely keep them on the outside.

However, the Wolverines could have a caveat and that would be looking very impressive and dominant down the stretch to prove they are unequivocally the better team. The resume, eye test, strength of schedule and record, as well as being a conference champion will all be there for the Wolverines.

But the committee always preaches they will select the four very best teams to the College Football Playoff. Dominating similarly to Ohio State in late 2014 would be Michigan’s best hope for a shot at the playoff.

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