College Football Playoff Rankings 2016: Week 15 AP Poll winners, losers

College Football Playoff Rankings 2016: Week 15 winners and losers

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

5 of 6

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Michigan Wolverines (No. 5 down to No. 6)

Who’s got it better than us? About five teams. Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines truly feel that they were one of the four best teams in college football this season, but the fact of the matter is that you can’t lose two of the final three games and expect to get in.

Sure, Michigan began the season 9-0 and looked like the favorite to win the Big Ten, even finding itself higher in the rankings than Ohio State a few weeks ago, but losses to Iowa and the Buckeyes changed that.

There was discussion about whether Michigan should jump Washington for that last playoff spot even though the Huskies won the Pac-12 title. Not sure why that was even a discussion since the Wolverines struggled, at home, with that same Colorado team that Washington beat for the title.

Michigan is an improving program and under Harbaugh, the Wolverines will be perennial national title contenders. However, they missed out on their opportunity this season by losing when it mattered most.

The fact that their only two road wins were against Rutgers and Michigan State, two teams that didn’t make a bowl, make the strength of wins look even worse. Yes, Michigan is a good team, but it will be left out of the playoff, and the Rose Bowl.

Home/College Football Playoff