What Needs To Happen For Michigan To Make The CFB Playoff

The Michigan Wolverines are 8-2 and ranked No. 12 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings. Despite sitting outside the Top 10, the Wolverines' playoff chances are still alive. The Wolverines need some help, but Jim Harbaugh's squad can still secure a playoff berth. Here's What Needs To Happen For Michigan To Make The CFB Playoff:

Michigan Wins Out

All of this is moot if Michigan doesn't win out. One more loss and the Wolverines don't have a chance at making the playoff. But if Michigan closes its season with wins, then they still can get a berth. The Wolverines will need some help, though. 

Ohio State Beats Michigan State

If Michigan State beats Ohio State, the MSU will win likely win the Big Ten East. The Spartans will have the tiebreaker and they'll get to play in the Big Ten Championship. But if OSU wins, then Michigan has a chance to claim the Big Ten East. If OSU beats MSU, but falls to Michigan State, then there will be a three-way tie for the East. Their three losses will be against each other, which means the tiebreaker will be whom is ranked highest in the CFP poll. If Michigan beats OSU, the committee will likely forgive the fluky loss to Michigan State and make the Wolverines the top Big Ten East team. That will send the Wolverines to the Big Ten title game. 

Iowa Beats Nebraska 

Michigan wants to face an undefeated Iowa team. The Hawkeyes are No. 5 in the CFP Rankings and beating an undefeated Iowa team is a resume boost the Wolverines need. The Wolverines already have two losses, so they'll need to knock off two undefeated teams to help their playoff chances. 

Stanford Beats Notre Dame 

One-loss Notre Dame could be a major issue for Michigan. The Fighting Irish are already No. 4 and if they win out, they'll get the nod over Michigan. However, if Stanford can beat Notre Dame in the last week of the regular season, Michigan will jump Notre Dame. 

Stanford Drops A Pac-12 Game

This one might not "need" to happen, but it would help. The Pac-12 isn't likely to get a CFP berth this season, because Utah is already behind Michigan in the rankings and Stanford lost to Oregon last week. The Cardinal likely won't be able to rise high enough in the rankings by winning out, even if it beats Notre Dame. Still, it'll be a big relief for Michigan if Stanford drops a third game. No Pac-12 champ getting a berth would allow a two-loss Michigan team to sneak into the College Football Playoff as the No. 4 team. 

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