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With a week off, Michigan football is back this week. While they have a huge game against Michigan State, there are other big games happening around the country. Michigan fell a spot in the latest College Football Playoff rankings to 15 and they will need some help to get moving back up on the rankings.
There are four games this week that Michigan fans should pay attention too as they could help Michigan in the long run. Check out which four below.
Game 1: Indiana vs. No. 9 Penn State
This is for the Big Ten Championship hopes here. Penn State suffered their first loss last week to Minnesota, and the Wolverines need them to lose two more times this season. Indiana is up next for Penn State and they won’t be an easy win.
Indiana is ranked inside the AP polls and while they don’t matter anymore, a win over Penn State could put them into the CFP Top 25, and that means if Michigan wins over Michigan State this week, it will be an even bigger and tougher game next week against Indiana. Indiana looking tough means if Michigan beats them they look good too.
Root for: Indiana
Game 2: No. 4 Georiga vs. No. 12 Auburn
Another week where Auburn is featured on this list. Georgia is on pace to make the SEC title game, and a win over Auburn could push them over Clemson at the number three spot. Auburn is high for two losses, and a third should knock them out of the top 15.
Auburn getting out of Michigan’s way would be nice and they could even see a fourth loss to Alabama to close the season out. This week though, Georgia is the team you need to root for here.
Root for: No. 4 Georgia
Game 3: No. 8 Minnesota vs. No. 20 Iowa
Minnesota jumped Michigan after beating Penn State last week. Would Iowa defeating Minnesota do the same thing? No. Iowa has three losses and lost to Michigan earlier this season. Michigan looks stronger if Iowa wins so that only helps Michigan’s case for a solid bowl game later in the season.
Root for: No. 20 Iowa
Game 4: No. 10 Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Baylor
An undefeated team ahead of Michigan that has a chance of losing this week is Baylor. The two teams here most likely will play for the conference championship in a few weeks, but this game means more now as it has playoff implications with it. Baylor needs this win to show they are a threat, while Oklahoma needs this win to show that one loss doesn’t mean they are out of it.
Michigan would love it if both could lose, but the stronger team in its path is Baylor. Baylor losing will knock them down a few spots, and enough to fall below Michigan and out of their way. Michigan could move up big this week, and a loss to Baylor helps that even more.