ESPN insider Heather Dinich believes CFP Selection Committee likes Ohio State over Michigan, cites non-conference schedule

The Michigan Wolverines ended last season as Big Ten champs and victors in their rivalry game over the Ohio State Buckeyes. Still, for the majority of this year, they have found themselves ranked behind their heated rival. And in the inaugural College Football Playoff rankings, Michigan remained behind Ohio State and was ranked outside the top four teams. ESPN insider Heather Dinich was not surprised by this at all and even believes the CFP Selection Committee likes the Buckeyes over the Wolverines. The reason why she believes this to be true is the difference in their non-conference schedule.

“The other thing that really stood out to me was an indictment on Michigan’s non-conference schedule,” said Hinich. “When you look at Colorado State, Hawaii and UConn, those teams are a combined 8-18. So they’ve got one win – a ranked win – against Penn State which is 6-2. Yeah, Ohio State has the same thing, but clearly, they like what they see more from the Buckeyes on film than they do Michigan.

“To me, this says, ‘You’ve got to beat the Buckeyes or you’re not getting into the College Football Playoff.”

It is not uncommon to see two teams from the same conference represented in the Playoff; take last year when both Georgia and Alabama from the SEC. However, if the Wolverines want to guarantee their spot in the end-of-the-year tournament, then beating the Buckeyes is a must. Plus, it’s never a bad season when you can defeat your biggest rival, especially if that victory comes at their home stadium.

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ESPN analysts skeptical of Clemson being ranked ahead of Michigan in initial College Football Playoff rankings

One of the bigger — yet certain to be resolved — ranking decisions made by the College Football Playoff selection committee on Tuesday in releasing their initial rankings was putting Clemson at No. 4 while slotting Michigan one spot behind at No. 5. The crew of ESPN analysts breaking it down on the CFP rankings release show weren’t so certain that was the right call.

Both teams are 8-0 and haven’t played schedules that anybody would consider overly intimidating with each squad not facing ranked competition until conference play. Kirk Herbstreit thinks it’s a message or a signal about strength of schedule and record, and that’s why Michigan — which played lowly UConn, Hawaii and Colorado State in the non-conference this year — suffered.

“Now I think all of us expected to see Clemson here,” Rece Davis said. “But instead it’s Michigan. Kirk, what’s your reaction to that?” …

For the full reaction from the ESPN analysts, checkout On3’s Andrew Graham’s story.