5 reasons Michigan can still make the College Football Playoff

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Sep 17, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) breaks a tackle by Colorado Buffaloes tight end Chris Bounds (43) in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 45-28. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Early win over Colorado looks impressive

Entering Week 12, Michigan has three strong wins on the season: Penn State, Wisconsin, and Colorado. Who outside of Boulder would have thought that the Colorado Buffaloes in the College Football Playoff mix in the Pac-12 this late in the season?

The Buffaloes are 8-2 (6-1) on the season and lead the Pac-12 South. Colorado has two huge games against ranked Pac-12 teams left on the slate: Washington State and Utah. If the Buffaloes beat the Cougars and the Utes, they will win the Pac-12 South. Colorado would play either Washington State or Washington in the Pac-12 Championship.

Colorado has the opportunity to beat three ranked Pac-12 teams to get to the College Football Playoff. To have a win over a potential Playoff team, or at the very least a Top 10 team in mid-November, would end up being the Wolverines’ best win of the season.

Seriously, isn’t beating a Power 5 champion by 17 points at home better than clobbering Penn State by 39 or Wisconsin by seven in a low-scoring affair? Winning the Big Ten gets Michigan in regardless, but hoping that Colorado plays well the rest of the way only serves the Wolverines. If Michigan wins the Big Ten and Colorado the Pac-12, that might get the Wolverines the No. 2 seed nationally.

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