And I'll even take it a step further, I'd much rather play PSU or Michigan than UNC or Louisville in a bowl.
I was under the impression Michigan was having a bad year. Looked at their schedule and I guess it was just the Army and Wisconsin games had me thinking that—they’ve been destroying teams lately. They’d probably beat us, possibly badly, but we’d be a lot more hyped to play them than the other way around, and that means something in bowl games.
One of the drawbacks of being in the SEC, and having so many higher ranked teams, is that we end up always playing higher seeded teams from other conferences in bowl games. Michigan and Penn St. are, what, 3rd and 4th best in the Big 10? Conversely, Tennessee is probably what, 6th or 7th? This is just off the top of my head and not looking at standings: SEC 1. LSU 2. Bama 3. UGA 4. UF 5. Dirty cow [uck fay]ing cheaters 6. Texas A&M 7. Tennessee Big 10 1. OSU 2. Wisconsin 3. Penn St. 4. Minnesota 5. Michigan 6. Iowa 7. Indiana Point being, either Michigan or Penn St. should be 14+ point favorites over Tennessee at a neutral site.
In the latest college football playoff rankings, Michigan (9-2) is 1oth and Penn St. (9-2) is 12th the 3rd and 4th highest Big 10 teams, respectively. I’m not sure where Tennessee (6-5) currently ranks, or will rank if we can beat Vandy and finish the regular season at 7-5....but it almost certainly won’t be in the Top 25. On paper, either game will be a mismatch.
if you feel like wearing some tinfoil for a second, here is a conspiracy to consider: Look at Alabama's schedule. who the hell have they beaten of any significance? the way the computer formulas work for BCS rankings, poll rankings are considered as part of the formula. Look and see if tennessee gets puffed up at 7-5 and gets some votes to be in the top 25 to keep ahead of the Utahs and Big 10 one loss teams
It's actually a good year to predict it, no one will be giving Michigan a shot, OSU, expects to win, Michigan flying under the radar. Could see it happening. Can't believe I am even talking about those two teams. Have about as much hatred for them as some of our conference foes.
B1G has some interesting selection procedures. The Citrus, Outback, and Holiday bowl all have agreements for 5 different teams over 6 years, so this could be quirky. My best stab at B1G right now CFP - Ohio State Rose - Penn State Citrus - Minnesota Holiday - Michigan Gator - Wisconsin Pinstripe - Indiana Redbox - Iowa QuickLane - Illinois Armed Forces - Nebraska Best Stab at SEC CFP - LSU CFP - Bama Sugar - Georgia Orange - Florida Citrus - Auburn Outback - A&M Gator - Tennessee Music City - Kentucky Liberty - State If Mizzou gets in shirt Kentucky to Belk and Mizzou in Music City.
If there are no surprises in the SEC this Saturday, Tennessee will be all alone in 5th in the overall SEC standings.
That's because of the first 2 non-conference losses. If we had been ranked all year, it would feel different.
