College Football Playoff 2016: How can Michigan get in?

Michigan came in at No. 5 in Tuesday night’s Week 14 College Football Playoff rankings, but how can the Wolverines get in?

So you’re telling me there’s a chance? Yes, Michigan football fans, the Wolverines still have a shot to get in to the College Football Playoff in 2016. Jim Harbaugh’s team has lost two of three games, but the Wolverines still rank No. 5 in the playoff poll.

How is this possible? Well, it’s clear that the playoff committee likes the Wolverines, and it might be a matter of what could bring in the most money for college football at this point. Michigan is a huge brand, and if the Wolverines are in, the NCAA benefits.

In order for Michigan to get in, a few things need to happen.

First, Michigan needs to see Washington lose to Colorado this weekend in the Pac-12 Championship. The Huskies are ranked No. 4 and might be the only team standing in the Wolverines’ way.

Next, the Wolverines will be rooting for Penn State to take care of business in the Big Ten title game against the Badgers. Michigan has beaten both teams, but the win over Penn State was much more emphatic than the one over Wisconsin. What this means is that the committee would rather take a team like Wisconsin, which lost by seven to Michigan on the road, than a team that loss by 39 (Penn State).

Lastly, in order to almost guarantee a spot in the playoff even if Wisconsin does win the Big Ten Championship, the Wolverines would need Virginia Tech to beat Clemson. That loss would drop the Tigers out of the top four and Michigan would get back in. Also, an Oklahoma loss to Oklahoma State wouldn’t hurt, either.

Don’t give up just yet, Michigan fans, the Wolverines have proven a ton to the committee and it wants more Harbaugh in the playoff.

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