Are The Michigan Wolverines Really A Longshot For The College Football Playoff?

A longshot.

That’s all the experts are currently giving the Michigan Wolverines to make this year’s College Football Playoff. The weekly rankings came out on Tuesday evening and for many in the national media, the Wolverines remain an afterthought to make this year’s field of four.

Now, that’s certainly not a bold opinion. Michigan came in at No. 12 in the rankings and undeniably, doesn’t have a direct path to the championship rounds. The Wolverines are 8-2 on the season and actually need help to even make the Big Ten championship game. As such, it’s not hard to rationalize why many view Michigan’s Playoff odds as minimal.

But still, are the experts right? Does Michigan have just a longshot to make the field?

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Legends Patch Nominees: Jim Harbaugh

Since Desmond Howard became the first Michigan player to receive a Legends Patch, there has been much debate surrounding which players deserve the award as well.  In an effort to settle some of the debate, we will be breaking down a former Michigan football player that we believe should be analyzed as a nominee for a Legends Patch.  This does not mean our writers believe they should be formally nominated in some way, but only that their credentials should be reviewed. If you have an opinion please comment or contact our writers via Twitter.




Nominee: Jim Harbaugh
" In a football program renowned for its rich history of great quarterbacks, Jim Harbaugh stands out as one of the finest. Completely rewriting the Michigan passing record books, Harbaugh's skill and poise led the Wolverines to a Big Ten title in 1985, and a Fiesta Bowl victory in 1986. The nation's most efficient passer in 1985, Harbaugh went on to set several school records, including a single season mark of 2,729 yards. Honors that followed included Michigan's Most Valuable Player, Big Ten Player-of-the-Year, third in Heisman voting, as well as finishing second in the nation in passing efficiency. Became the first quarterback in Wolverine history to throw for over 300 yards in a single game. Harbaugh earned first team All-American honor from the Football News in addition to being named to the Big Ten All-Academic Team. He was also named second team All- American by AP and UPI." - Bentley Historical Library


Does Jim Harbaugh Deserve A Legends Patch?

Thomas Beindit - No
Harbaugh had a very impressive career at Michigan including All-American status, individual records, and great team performances.  However, I don't think Harbaugh did quite enough to earn this special distinction with the program.  It's called the Legends Patch for a reason. A player that receives this award needs to be a legend with the program.  His stats aren't quite impressive as players like Chad Henne, even though they played in different eras, and his contributions and team success wasn't that spectacular or unique.  He had some great moments such as his 1986 guaranteed victory over Ohio State in the Horseshoe and when he led the nation in passing efficiency in 1985, but is that enough to get a Legends Patch?  He did get 3rd in the Heisman voting in 1986, but I'm still not sure that's quite enough.  To me, you have to be the icon at the position, linked to something inherit in the school, or win a Heisman.  I can't say any of those about Harbaugh.  Plus, as of late, he hasn't treated Michigan with as much respect as many would prefer.  Perhaps this sentiment will fade with time, but as of now, Harbaugh doesn't deserve a Legends Patch.

Kyle Curtiss - No
I'm going to agree with the major consensus here. When I think of old school quarterbacks for Michigan, Harbaugh is a name I always think of. Maybe it's because I enjoyed watching him play for the Indianapolis Colts? Whatever the reason is, I don't think he deserves a Legends Patch. Possibly a "very good" Patch. I don't put any stock into his treatment of Michigan. He's a good coach who's allowed his own opinion. He didn't want to coach here? That's fine. We have Brady Hoke now.  His career at Michigan can best be summed up as a jack of all trades, master of none. Don't get me wrong, I personally love the guy. I just don't think he had the career of a legend.

Tyler Fenwick -  No
I hate to go with the crowd on this one, but I don't believe Jim Harbaugh deserves a Legends Patch. His career doesn't really pop out to me. Last week, in William Cunningham's case, I easily said yes because of his contributions to the University. I don't feel like Harbaugh holds the same kind of status. Another unique way to look at this is to consider how we would answer if he had taken the vacant job at Michigan when Rich Rodriguez was fired. Our views would be very more positive of him (I'm not saying our views are necessarily negative), and I think I would probably be tempted to say yes to the Legends Patch. But that isn't the case, so I don't feel like Harbaugh put together an impressive enough resume to deserve the Legends Patch.

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All writers are entitled to their own opinion and those may or may not represent the held beliefs of Hoke's Mad Magicians as an entity. Readers are welcome to comment below or contact the writers via Twitter with     their thoughts

Top 10 Michigan and Ohio State Games

10.) 1995 Michigan 31 Ohio State 23

Ohio State came in 11-0 and ranked number 2 in the country and were in the national championship hunt. Led by eventual Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George, many thought OSU would roll over the Wolverines. But then they ran into Michigan and Tim Biakabutuka. Gaining 313 yards on 37 carries, Biakabutuka ran all over the Buckeye defense on his way to having only the second 300 yard rushing game in U of M history. He would later go on to set the Michigan single season rushing record with 1818 yards, in large part because of this game.

9.) 1972 Ohio State 14 Michigan 11 Ranked number 3, Michigan went into the game hoping to secure a Rose Bowl trip. The Buckeyes would have other ideas, as they were trying to end Michigan’s 21 game regular season winning streak. The Wolverines actually outgained the Buckeyes in the contest, but were unfortunately stopped on the goal line twice, and had a winning touchdown taken away from them late when officials ruled that Harry Banks never got in. OSU played astute defense all day and earned the trip to Pasadena, where they would be trounced by the USC Trojans 42-17.

8.) 1975 Ohio State 21 Michigan 14

Ohio State rolled into this game undefeated in Big 10 play, and were led on the ground by Archie Griffin who had broke 100 yards rushing in every game. Michigan came in with record that featured eight wins, no losses, and two ties coming in non-conference action. The Wolverines were also being led by a freshman quarterback by the name of Rick Leach. With three minutes left in a game defined by stout defense, both teams were tied at 14 and Michigan had just received the ball. But the freshman would falter against the OSU defense and was picked off on third down by Ray Griffin, who took the ball down to the three. OSU would punch it in from there and go on to victory and earn a trip to Pasadena. However, the number one ranked Buckeyes would lose to UCLA, which ruined their national championship dreams.

7.) 1986 Michigan 26 Ohio State 24

Entering the game, Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh publicly guaranteed a victory against the Buckeyes. Early on it looked like Ohio State would force the confident young player to eat his words as they took a 14-3 lead. However, the Wolverines would ride the back of workhorse runningback Jamie Morris, as he gained 210 yards and had two touchdowns. Late in the game, with Michigan holding a slight 26-24 lead, Ohio State sent out kicker Matt Frantz to win the game. The kick ultimately missed, and sent the Wolverines to the Rose Bowl, where they would lose to the Arizona State Sun Devils 22-15.

6.) 1968 Ohio State 50 Michigan 14

Many reading are probably wondering why such a blowout would be included in a top 10 list, but there is a method to the madness. Other than being famous for the famous Woody Hayes “Couldn’t go for three” quote, this was also the last time until 1990 that the game did not involve Bo Schembechler. The game featured the number one ranked team in the Buckeyes, and the number four ranked Wolverines. This was only a one score game at halftime as OSU was up 21-14; however the Buckeyes would rattle off 29 unanswered points to complete the thrashing. The embarrassment of this game would be all the motivation that Bo would need leading into his 1969 debut in the rivalry, setting up a great run of success.

5.) 1997 Michigan 20 Ohio State 14 Sealing a dream national championship season for the Wolverines, this game was almost as memorable for the Heisman-clinching punt return touchdown for Charles Woodson. Tempers flared in this rivalry game as OSU’s David Boston and Woodson got into a fistfight during play. Michigan took a 13-0 lead with the punt return, and added another touchdown in the third to go up 20-0. The Buckeyes would try and mount a comeback, scoring twice. But the Wolverine defense was just too stifling, and Michigan took the win. They would go onto to earn a share of the championship with Nebraska as they beat the Washington State Cougars in the Rose Bowl.

4.) 2006 Ohio State 42 Michigan 39

In the first matchup of number 1 vs. number 2 in the rival’s history, the game was overshadowed by the death of legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler just the day before. The team went in with heavy hearts, and consisted of a high scoring game in which Michigan would not lead following the first quarter. The Buckeyes were led by Heisman trophy winning quarterback Troy Smith as he had 316 yards in the air and added four touchdowns. OSU would go on to the BCS national championship against the Florida Gators, and lost 42-14.

3.) 1950 Michigan 9 Ohio State 3 In a game known as the “Snow Bowl” because of the frigid weather conditions, the Wolverines pulled off an upset in some of the worst playing conditions in football history. This was the ultimate field position game, as both teams combined for an incredible 45 punts, sometimes electing to kick it away on first down rather than try to handle the ball. Ohio State scored on a field goal, and Michigan was able to capitalize on a blocked kick that went through the endzone for a safety and a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown. The Wolverines went on to beat California in the 1951 Rose Bowl 14-6.

2.) 1973 Michigan 10 Ohio State 10

In a much anticipated matchup of number one OSU vs. number four Michigan, a lot was at stake for both teams. On the line was the Big 10 championship, a trip to Pasadena, and maybe even a national championship. Late in the game, Michigan’s Tom Drake picked off a Buckeye pass to set up a potential game-winning field goal by Mike Lantry. Unfortunately the kicked sailed wide right, and the game ended in a 10-10 tie. With both tying atop the conference leaderboard, the Big 10 decided to leave the decision up to a vote among the athletic directors as to who would best represent the conference in the Rose Bowl. The vote swung the way of the Buckeyes, sending the Michigan camp into an outrage. Conspiracy theories were developed, and letters to the editor by Michigan fans flooded into the newspapers. The most widely accepted reason for selecting the Buckeyes was that Michigan’s quarterback Dennis Franklin broke his collarbone in the Ohio State game. OSU would go on to beat the USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl 42-21.

1.) 1969 Michigan 24 Ohio State 12

In maybe the most widely known Michigan-Ohio State matchup, this game marked the first time Bo Schembechler would face his mentor Woody Hayes in what would become “The Ten Year War.” OSU came into the game as 14 point favorites and on a 22 game winning streak. Being the defending national champions, and after the 50-14 shellacking the year before, no one expected the Wolverines to pull off the upset. Michigan was 7-2 and ranked 12^th in the nation coming in. Michigan was led by an inspired defense, and upset the previously thought to be “Team of the Century.” The Wolverines went on to play USC, and lost 10-3.