Could Michigan really jump Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff rankings?

The Michigan Wolverines have had an impressive season to date under head coach Jim Harbaugh. With only a few weeks left in the season, is it possible for Michigan to move in front of Notre Dame with a fantastic finish?

Michigan has been crushing Big Ten competition on their schedule so far, beating Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State by an average score of 33-9. This is even more of an accomplishment because all three of those teams were ranked in the top 25 at the time Michigan beat them and Michigan State and Penn State are currently ranked No. 18 and No. 19, respectively.

The resume the Wolverines have put together so far this season has them ranked as the No. 4 team in the nation and as the highest one-loss team. Michigan has other statistics backing them in their argument over Notre Dame as well. Michigan is No. 4 in the Football Power Index compared to No. 8 Notre Dame and they are No. 4 in Overall Team Efficiency, while the Fighting Irish is all the way back at No. 12 in this ranking.

The biggest advantage Michigan has over Notre Dame is that the College Football Playoff committee puts a lot of weight on conference champions. If Michigan beats Ohio State and wins the Big Ten Championship Game, they would both have 12 wins, but Michigan would have a championship while Notre Dame can raise a banner for being the best independent team.

Moving a one-loss team in front of an undefeated team would be a cause for controversy still, mainly for one big reason. Notre Dame beat Michigan in the season opener. How could a team jump the team that’s undefeated and beat them is what angry Golden Domers would be screaming. They would be entirely entitled to those feelings of rage and confusion.

The fact that Notre Dame beat Michigan head to head in Week 1 and that Notre Dame beat their common opponent, Northwestern, more handily and with a larger margin of victory also suggests such a thing doesn’t pass the smell test.

Even with these factors taken into consideration, there is a very real possibility that the numbers and side-by-side resume comparisons could push Michigan in front of Notre Dame once the final rankings are decided.