Getty Gallery: 4/6
No. 5 Michigan Wolverines (AP Poll: 5th)
No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs (AP Poll: 7th)
Michigan ranks very favorably in the strength of schedule metrics. The Wolverines rank No. 10 in TeamRankings.com strength of schedule index, while they are a bit lower in the S&P+ at 31st. As long as they can take care of business against Penn State next week, Michigan should be smooth sailing until they take on Ohio State for what will likely be a spot in the Big Ten title game.
The Wolverines are the kind of team the committee tends to like with a strong strength of schedule combined with quality wins. Michigan's lone loss came against Notre Dame, which continues to look better and better as the season goes on. The Wolverines have a very good chance of making the College Football Playoff if they can win out and secure a Big Ten title. The challenge for Michigan and some of the other potential top conference champions is Notre Dame.
If Alabama and Notre Dame win out as they are expected to, it likely leaves two spots for the four remaining Power Five conferences. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh credits Ole Miss transfer quarterback Shea Patterson for helping the team rally after an early loss.
"I think he embraces all the pressure situations," Harbaugh told ESPN. "Really pours his heart and soul into playing the game, and [I have] just the ultimate respect for him and the way he plays and who he is and how he completes. He competes like a maniac."
Georgia's Win Over Florida Boosts Resume
The Bulldogs received a big boost to their resume with their win over Florida in a marquee neutral site rivalry game. Things do not get much easier for Georgia with upcoming games against Kentucky and Auburn.
Florida is Georgia's signature win so far this season. Georgia has also notched victories against South Carolina and Missouri. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has been complimentary of quarterback Jake Fromm's ability to bounce back since the Bulldogs loss to LSU.
"He's been great," Smart told 247 Sports. "He was super out there last week. Spirited. There's a lot of competition. We tried to make competition between the offense and the defense and he challenged guys and made some plays with the wideouts and the backs. Jake's not the kind of guy that backs down from the competition. He's not going to do that. He's not going to say, 'I didn't play my best game' and then go into a shell. He's out there working every day."
Georgia has not had the strongest of opponents as their No. 62 ranked schedule shows, but the Bulldogs should see a bump after November. This is especially true if the Bulldogs can land a spot in the SEC Championship.
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College Football Rankings: CFB Playoff Predictions Week 10