CFP Chair Hints at Surprising Twist in Michigan Football’s Championship Fate

Ever since the preseason, Michigan football has been quietly hovering in that tricky teens zone in the rankings—not exactly headline stuff, but certainly not off the radar either. Yet, if you ask me, there’s only one ranking that really carries weight: the College Football Playoff committee’s verdict. And guess what? The Wolverines haven’t slipped through the cracks. Despite the recent nail-biting, walk-off victory against Northwestern that left them at No. 18, the committee sees more in this team than the number suggests. Hunter Yurachek, the committee chair, didn’t mince words on the conference call after Week 12—he’s got genuine respect for Michigan’s resume. With two losses against top-25 opponents but some solid wins under their belt, Michigan’s season is hanging in the balance: two wins and they stay alive; one loss, especially against Ohio State, could snuff out those playoff hopes. Before all that drama unfolds, though, there’s Maryland standing in their path this Saturday in College Park. It’s a tense ride ahead for the maize and blue—and I, for one, am all eyes and ears. LEARN MORE

Michigan football has been sitting in the teens in terms of rankings since the preseason. But there’s only one ranking that truly matters: that devised by the College Football Playoff rankings committee.

And the Wolverines aren’t being forgotten.

Michigan remained at No. 18 after the walk-off win vs. Northwestern, indicating that perhaps the committee doesn’t think much of the young maize and blue. However, committee chair Hunter Yurachek begs to differ, noting on the conference call following the Week 12 reveal that they have high respect for the Wolverines.

“We feel Michigan at 8-2 is a quality team,” Yurachek said. “They’ve got two losses to two teams in our top 25. The loss earlier this year at No. 8 Oklahoma and a loss versus No. 15 Southern Cal. Quite honestly, that Southern Cal game and the Oklahoma game, we felt they were dominated in both of those games.

“They’ve got some good wins on their resumes as well, the victory against Nebraska and then against Washington and of course the walk-off this past week against Northwestern. So Michigan is a very strong team in our pool at 8-2 and currently ranked 18th, and the committee has a great deal of respect for them.”

It’s quite simple for Michigan football: win the final two regular season games, and the Wolverines aren’t in. Lose one, including to No. 1 Ohio State, and they’re out.

But first, Michigan has to get past Maryland in College Park on Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: CFP chair respects Michigan football and its resume