CFP committee chair Boo Corrigan explains why Ohio State is ranked above Michigan

When the latest College Football Playoff rankings were revealed Tuesday, rivals Ohio State and Michigan came in right next to each other. However, as the two currently undefeated teams await their annual meeting on Nov. 26, it seems an inevitability one will eventually be knocked out.

As it stands now though, the Buckeyes have the better resume in the eyes of the committee, as they were No. 2 while the Wolverines ranked third. CFP committee chair Boo Corrigan was asked whether Michigan’s nonconference schedule was the difference between the two teams, but claimed a variety of factors led to Ohio State being ranked ahead of Michigan.

“We don’t believe there’s anything simple about it,” Corrigan said in a post-reveal press conference. “We’re going to go through each week with a clean sheet, look at every team, continue to evaluate, continue to compare statistically, continue to compare their schedules. All that being said, strength of schedule is different as we look at it. Again, we’re looking at so many different factors as opposed to just one. From a protocol standpoint we want to make sure we get it right and that’s where we landed where we did this week.”

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Michigan did not schedule any Power 5 opponents in its nonconference schedule, and those teams have combined for a 10-22 record this season. However, the Wolverines did win each of those games handily by an average of 49.7 points. Conversely, Ohio State scheduled Notre Dame, which entered the season at No. 5 in the AP poll and is now No. 18 in the CFP rankings.

Corrigan went on to state that Michigan still has many strengths in spite of its weak nonconference schedule, though, including its dominant defense and a potential Heisman Trophy finalist in running back Blake Corum.

“Win over Penn State, top 10 defense giving up just 11 points a game, balance, Blake Corum, the job he’s done this season,” Corrigan said. “And again, defensively they’re really solid. Solid No. 3 team.”

Ultimately, how things stand right now won’t really matter much, though. It’s clear the winner between Ohio State and Michigan at the end of the season will be a lock for the Playoff if it handles business in the Big Ten title game. The loser, on the other hand, will likely be out of luck without some help elsewhere.

The Wolverines and Buckeyes are set to kick off at noon ET on Nov. 26 in Columbus.