Michigan football fans have been saying for weeks that the Wolverines control their own destiny for the College Football Playoff.
One well-known college football expert, Ari Wasserman of On3, agrees.
Following a 45-20 bashing of Maryland, which sent Michigan into the Ohio State game with a record of 9-2, plus a ranking that should be improved based on losses by USC and Georgia Tech this weekend, Michigan will be just 5-6 spots from being seeded in the playoff.
It feels like the last at-large berth will go to the 10th-ranked team. Michigan should be ranked 16th this week, so it will need a big jump. But according to Wasserman, the Wolverines will take a big leap in the rankings if they beat the Buckeyes.
"No shot Michigan isn't in the (College Football Playoff) if it is 10-2 and possess a win over Ohio State. None," Wasserman wrote on X.
No shot Michigan isn't in the CFP if it is 10-2 and possess a win over Ohio State. None. https://t.co/kT8jgLtYju
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) November 22, 2025
Wasserman wrote that in response to a fan on social media. Another argued that there would be some other quality 10-2 teams out there, to which the On3 expert responded: "There are a lot of 10-2 teams who wouldn't have a win over Ohio State."
If Michigan beats Ohio State it should be in
Ohio State is 11-0 and ranked No. 1. The Buckeyes have already clinched a berth in the College Football Playoff. There's just no way they could fall out.
If Michigan beat Ohio State for a fifth straight time, a big if, since the Wolverines are a 5.5-point underdog at home, it would have arguably the best win in college football this season.
It's hard to see that team getting left out, although Alabama might be the odd team out, unless there is chaos during rivalry week, which there always seems to be.
First things first though, Michigan needs to beat Ohio State. The rest will take care of itself.