Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney don’t always see eye to eye. In this edition of Rival Views, the two debate about which top four team is least likely to make the playoff.
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FARRELL'S VIEW: WASHINGTON HUSKIES
Even though Washington appears to have the easiest schedule left of the major contenders, I'm going with the Huskies.
I think a one-loss Pac-12 team will get booted out of the playoff picture faster than a one-loss team from the ACC, Big Ten or SEC. If Washington loses to Utah this weekend or stumbles down the line against USC, Washington State or in the Pac-12 title game, that would open the door for a one-loss Texas A&M, Louisville or Clemson.
Let’s say Clemson beats Florida State this weekend, runs the table but loses in the ACC Championship Game while Louisville finishes with one loss. I think both still have a better shot at making the College Football Playoff than a one-loss Washington. If Ohio State beats Michigan and wins the Big Ten, the Wolverines would still be selected over a one-loss Washington.
There are many, many factors in play here, but the Pac-12 is so weak this season that one of its teams need to be 13-0 to qualify for the playoff. Washington is the only team that can do that, and the Huskies have some tough games left.
GORNEY'S VIEW: MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
I’m going to face a lot of vitriol after taking this stance, but of the top four teams – Alabama, Michigan, Clemson and Washington – the Wolverines probably have the best chance of losing heading into the postseason and are probably the greatest at risk of missing out on the College Football Playoff.
It’s a tough call, but I don’t see Alabama losing, Clemson has a dangerous game at Florida State this weekend, but if the Tigers win there they can cruise and Washington’s schedule has some roadblocks – Utah, USC and maybe some others – but the Huskies have enough talent to outscore and out-defend a lot of teams.
Here’s why I’m taking Michigan: The Wolverines have only played one legitimate contender so far this season and they didn’t look phenomenal in a 14-7 win over Wisconsin.
Michigan still has to go to Iowa, which could be dangerous, and then obviously it visits Ohio State to finish off the regular season. Let’s just remind everybody that the Wolverines lost at home to the Buckeyes 42-13 last season and Ohio State has absolutely dominated that series recently.
Michigan is a fabulous football team and far better in Jim Harbaugh’s second season. Don’t make this about how I’m hating on the Wolverines and not giving them enough credit. They could win out, win the College Football Playoff and I wouldn’t be completely shocked. Well, I would be shocked if the Wolverines beat Alabama.
I love how the offense is capitalizing. The defense is arguably the best in the country led by the best defensive coordinator in Don Brown. I love what’s happening in Ann Arbor. But Michigan has some serious challenges ahead of it that other teams do not and that’s why it’s certainly no guarantee it makes the playoff.