Just like in the AP Poll, Michigan football continues to move up in the College Football Playoff rankings, jumping to 15th in the latest edition released on Tuesday.
Michigan was ranked 21st not that long ago. The Wolverines moved up after a 45-20 win over Maryland. They were also helped with losses by Georgia Tech and USC.
Michigan's two best wins are over eight-win Washington, which plays Oregon this week. The Huskies aren't ranked. Nebraska (7-4), on the road, is another solid win. Yet, the Wolverines haven't beaten a top-25 team, which will change if they upset Ohio State, since the Buckeyes are No. 1.
Michigan football is still behind Notre Dame (No. 9), Alabama (No. 10), followed by BYU (10-1), Miami (9-2), Utah (9-2), and Vanderbilt (9-2).
It's easy to see the Wolverines passing most of those teams with a win over Ohio State. That includes BYU. The Cougars beat Utah, but that pales in comparison to a win over the No. 1 team.
The teams that Michigan has to worry about are Alabama and Notre Dame. Miami will probably need to win the ACC championship to make the 12-team playoff, so the Wolverines will likely need to get the No. 10 spot to earn an at-large berth.
If Alabama and Michigan both win, each would have a 10-2 record. Only one team would have a win over Ohio State, but the playoff would be insane. So would the complaints, regardless of who ends up getting left out.
Oregon is another interesting team to watch at No. 6. Oregon plays at Washington and if the Huskies pull an upset, while Michigan does, too, could the Wolverines move past Oregon? Could the Ducks drop down to 11 behind Alabama and Michgan?
There are plenty of different scenarios, but it might not be as simple as win and in for Michigan football.