Notorious friend of the program, Cowherd comes through again.
I just listened to Cowherd’s Michigan take. He makes a strong argument for Michigan to be ranked #1 in the CFP based not only on the record and the having the best win of the season but leaning heavily on the fact they are 6-0 without Harbaugh on the sideline this season with two of the games being against top 10 opponents. He went through the list of the other top teams and stated none of them would be undefeated in that kind of a stretch had they been without their program heads. I had not thought of this argument myself but he makes a solid case. That being said, I do not expect that kind of a ranking and I’m still waiting for the CFP committee to carry water for the NCAA and do whatever they can to put Michigan at a disadvantage. Control what you can control, win Saturday. Go Blue.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:44 PM ^
I actually wouldn't mind staying at number 2. Probably avoids potential Bama, Georgia, OSU matchups in the first round. With that being said, if FSU sneaks in at 4, we should definitely be #1.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:54 PM ^
I concur, but if Bama wins, it is likely both Bama and UGA are in. We'd play one of them, as they won't have the guts to match them up in the first round of the CFP.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:13 PM ^
I don't think any team will get to teams in this year. The playoffs will be Winner of the B1G, Winner of the SEC, some combination of FSU, Pac winner, and Texas.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:21 PM ^
I agree, I think it would be rather unlikely for a team to send 2 teams to the playoffs
November 27th, 2023 at 1:59 PM ^
That would be a record
November 27th, 2023 at 1:59 PM ^
Damn double post
November 28th, 2023 at 2:51 PM ^
Bama might. You never know with those guys.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:32 PM ^
Completely disagree. If Bama wins, there's no way a 1 loss non champion gets in over over 0 or 1 loss champions Wash/Oregon, Texas and FSU. Georgia would need help. Imagine the outcry if a 1 loss non champion Georgia got in over an undefeated conf champion FSU or Washington. Would never ever happen.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:04 PM ^
But it will the NCAA always protects the SEC
November 27th, 2023 at 1:57 PM ^
If Georgia loses, they'd need both FSU and Texas to lose to make it in. If Texas, FSU, Washington, Bama win, I think theyd have to leave the SEC out entirely. 3 undefeated P5 champs. 2 1-loss P5 champs, and one has a road win over the other. Can't pick Bama over Texas in that scenario
November 27th, 2023 at 2:26 PM ^
Exactly! And I hope that the Playoff Committee is faced with this exact scenario (although I wouldn't want to face Texas in the first round).
November 27th, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
November 27th, 2023 at 12:58 PM ^
I don't love a potential matchup against the pass-first offenses of Washington or Oregon, but it is the playoffs and every team is going to be very good. FSU and Bama would be my first choices of opponents of those that are realistically possible.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:59 PM ^
I'd much rather play Washington than Oregon.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^
Agree, my approximate preference of round 1 matchup would be:
1. Florida State (qb out)
2. Washington (not enough defense)
3. Texas (new to the playoff)
4. Alabama (not Tua's Alabama anymore)
5. Oregon
6. Georgia
November 27th, 2023 at 1:14 PM ^
That would be my exact ordering as well.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:25 PM ^
If only because Oregon’s uniforms are liable to blind somebody.
November 27th, 2023 at 6:08 PM ^
OSU isn't getting in.
November 27th, 2023 at 8:42 PM ^
You think OSU can be a #3 seed? lol stop.
BPONE is rampant on this board.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:44 PM ^
Logic is correct. However....
UGA is the 2 time defending champ and still undefeated. Yes, each season is different, but until they are beaten, they deserve the benefit of the doubt.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:59 PM ^
What ever the rankings, there will be four very good football teams playing. IMHO, ranking just settles the jersey colors for both teams.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:27 PM ^
Georgia is - and has been - a VERY good football team.
However, with a limited number of teams in the CFP - four teams to be exact, how much "credit" can be given for the past two years performance.
This is not a "champion of the past three seasons", it's a championship for the '23 season.
If Bama defeats Georgia - and, Michigan, FSU, Texas, and Washington all win - who should be the four teams in the CFP? Would Georgia go "in" in front of Bama? I doubt it. If both Bama and Texas win on Saturday - who should be seeded higher? I'd pick Texas because of the head to head.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:48 PM ^
Georgia still looks like they have a gear that Michigan does not have. I would love to be proven wrong though.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:56 PM ^
Honestly, I think Michigan has been a "scrappy, get it done" team all year. And that actually gives me more hope- if everybody plays clean, they could STILL hit a higher gear than what they've shown.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:01 PM ^
The Georgia Tech game does give me hope that we could run against them. They rushed for over 200 yards and UGA knew they were running every time
November 27th, 2023 at 2:34 PM ^
Not without Zinter.
November 27th, 2023 at 5:48 PM ^
Zinters one guy…a very good guy but we have pieces that should be good enough to fill the breach…..worked against OSU and they are pretty stacked on the Dline
November 27th, 2023 at 1:01 PM ^
I want whatever doesn't have us playing the UGA/Bama winner, Oregon or Texas in the Rose Bowl. I guess what I'm saying is I want to play Washington or FSU.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:13 PM ^
He's right. Nobody cares. Paul F calls our University president a "clown"... despite literally looking like the clown face from The Dark Knight
November 27th, 2023 at 1:54 PM ^
Paul Finebaum, of all "alleged" commenters / analysts.
The first comment he makes that actually contains an intelligent analysis of anything related to football - a play, series, game, etc. - will be his first.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:15 PM ^
Link?
November 27th, 2023 at 1:15 PM ^
Still think Cowherd is a hack and a blowhard. Glad he's high on us, but it doesn't change the general quality of his commentary
November 27th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
Harbaugh on the sidelines cannot be underemphasized.
He has a built a culture that is so strong and unified that they can win against two top ten teams without his presence.
They lose their best offensive lineman and follow it up with a chaser while Corum holds up 65.
This team is special.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:56 PM ^
As you noted - and I completely agree - the culture of Michigan football is at a different level.
In today's climate - with NIL, the transfer portal, etc. - Michigan really seems to stand "above" and display a degree of differentiation that's both refreshing and unique.
Go Blue!
November 27th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
I wonder - what is more important - "pre-season" rankings, or "end of season" rankings.
Georgia has two wins against Top 25 teams - at home. Those opponents are: Ole Miss (11), and Mizzou (9).
Michigan has two wins against Top 25 teams - Penn State (10) on the road, and Ohio State (6) at home.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:54 PM ^
If Georgia is #1 tomorrow, you'll know.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:32 PM ^
Of course, you never know how the conference championships will play out but I would bet that Georgia gets matched against a QB-less FSU. Always gets an easier path to the championship game.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:55 PM ^
They didn't in 2021 when they got us, and Bama got Cincinnati.
November 27th, 2023 at 7:38 PM ^
Nor last year. OSU was a much better team than TCU last year.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:33 PM ^
Assuming that we can get past Iowa, all of the projected playoff contenders are excellent.
I'm simply going to maintain my confidence that our guys can beat anyone they play.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:04 PM ^
Agree 100%
We played this mental game last year, and got who we wanted. Top priority is beating Iowa on Saturday night, then beating whoever we play in the semifinal.
November 27th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^
Love Cowherd. He's a smart guy actually - and comes up with opinion on a lot of topics. That would be hard to do.
Also, didn't Harbaugh just do the Ultimate Flex? He proved he can build a team that is so good, it can win the toughest games without him. What a fucking legend.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:04 PM ^
We're at the point of the season where I actually prefer #2 to #1 for simply the guarantee of NOT playing OSU again. If somehow they miracle "back their way" in, it would for sure be at #4. Let UGA handle them...
Just my $.02