Paul Finebaum reveals how a loss could impact Michigan's College Football Playoff chances

Michigan has quickly become the most debated program in the country amid a sign-stealing scandal and a suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh by the Big Ten. Still, the Wolverines are well within the hunt for the College Football Playoff.

During an appearance on Get Up, Paul Finebaum argued that Michigan has a good path to the Playoff, even with a loss to Ohio State. However, with a loss to the Buckeyes, the Wolverines would need some help.

“It’s hard to give you an answer,” Finebaum said. “I’d say yes if things work their way. But the College Football Playoff committee will look at that as an injury or something else.”

The suspension of Jim Harbaugh is going to play a role in all of this. Finebaum explained that how the team plays without him is going to impact the committee’s decision. However, he also emphasized that there is a lot of pushback against Harbaugh and Michigan right now

“But let’s not forget that Jim Harbaugh was not pulled off that plane last week and made to go someplace because a judge or an entity didn’t like him. That was the fourth time in ten games this year, my friends, that Jim Harbaugh couldn’t coach. The first three, he was accused of malfeasance by the NCAA and the fourth time he was accused by the Big Ten of something,” Finebaum said.

“So, I think we all want to make Jim Harbaugh out to be America’s favorite idol, but the truth is he’s got a pretty bad reputation. Not only has the NCAA come after him, but so has the Big Ten.”

As of now, there are more unbeaten teams in the Power Five than spots for a spot in the Playoff. That means that, with a loss, Michigan would need help to get into the Playoff.

“If a couple of schools lose, I would argue that Michigan probably belongs but by not being in the Big Ten Championship Game, it will hurt them. It will also hurt them losing at home.”

Desmond Howard explains why Jim Harbaugh being on the field is important for Michigan

While debating Paul Finebaum, Desmond Howard explained the value of having Jim Harbaugh on the field for Michigan.

“I think that people need to understand that coaches, they make their money on Saturday. That’s when they’re the most valuable to their team, not to take away anything that they do throughout the week because when you look at this Michigan team, they’re an incredibly prepared team for every game that they go into. They can go into a game, winning it in various ways. You saw that just last week,” Howard said.

“Everyone was pointing at the game against Penn State. So when you look at a team that’s prepared like this, I do think it will have its effect on them, especially in a game of that magnitude. But don’t forget Greeny. They started the season off with Jim Harbaugh not being able to coach, suspended for three games. So now they just had the biggest games so far this season on the road in Happy Valley against Penn State, ranked No. 10, not knowing until the 11th hour or maybe the 11th minute if their coach is going to even coach.”