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Michigan headlines ESPN’s list of one-loss CFB Playoff contenders
By Paul Harvey
Published:
What a difference a few wins make. Just ask the Michigan Wolverines.
Many wanted to write Jim Harbaugh’s squad off after a loss to Notre Dame in Week 1. The offense looked stagnant as the Fighting Irish scratched out a 24-17 win over the Wolverines.
Well, Michigan has now won six straight in mostly impressive fashion. The offense is clicking behind QB Shea Patterson and the defense is once again impressive. As a result, Michigan still holds an outside chance at making the College Football Playoff.
In ranking the one-loss teams with a shot to make the Playoff, ESPN’s Heath Dinich put the Wolverines No. 1 and ahead of the Georgia Bulldogs. The path for Michigan to the Playoff is pretty clear: run the table, including a win over Ohio State, and win the B1G Championship Game.
However, that is easier said than done, esspecially considering games remaining against Michigan State, Penn State, and the Buckeyes. Nevertheless, Dinich indicated there is a 21% chance the Wolverines will have one loss and will take on an undefeated Ohio State team to finish the season:
The Big Ten has an 11 percent chance to get multiple teams into the playoff, second best to the SEC. There’s a 21 percent chance Michigan will be 10-1 and Ohio State will be 11-0 when the teams meet in Columbus on Nov. 24.
Iowa also checked in at No. 7 on the list of one-loss contenders. They must win out to have any legitimate shot to make the Playoff, and the Hawkeyes are given just a two percent chance to do so. Still, there is a chance.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.