What teams can still make the College Football Playoff entering Week 12?

Michigan might be the second best team in the country, but will have to earn it

One could argue for Michigan being the strongest team in the country outside of Georgia. Despite losing both coordinators this offseason, Jim Harbaugh’s team is well-coached. They play complete football and do so with great confidence. In essence, the Wolverines do much of what makes Georgia so elite, but not quite on that level. So they are a lock to make the playoff this year, right?

Not so fast, my friend! Michigan maybe be 10-0 (7-0), but still has to play a quality Illinois team on Saturday and then has a brutal date with arch rival Ohio State in The Horseshoe. The Wolverines did beat the Buckeyes a year ago in The Big House to end a lengthy losing streak. However, Ohio State is also a national title contender this year. Michigan must overcome its bad non-conference.

Even with a loss to Illinois, Michigan makes the playoff with an Ohio State win and a Big Ten title.

From a talent and scheduling perspective, Ohio State should make the playoff

There are a few things that give Ohio State the slight edge over Michigan to make the playoff at this point in time. The Buckeyes have the easier Week 12 opponent in Maryland over what the Wolverines face in Illinois. This year’s installment of The Game will be at home in Columbus. While that is most important, Ohio State also has a better non-conference resume than the Wolverines.

Michigan’s best non-conference win is over a bowl-eligible UConn team, whereas Ohio State beat a ranked Notre Dame team over Labor Day Weekend, albeit at home. This is why if Ohio State were to lose The Game and something crazy were to happen elsewhere, they would have a better chance of getting in as a one-loss, non-champion over Michigan, possibly even over a Tennessee.

Another win in Columbus, plus one in Indianapolis gets them in, even with a loss at College Park…