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This isn’t how anyone envisioned the Big Ten conference two weeks into its shortened season. We’ve seen some huge upsets, teams doing better than others expected and COVID-19 reminding teams a pandemic is still going on.
Last week, Michigan football lost its first game of the season to Michigan State, 27-24. The loss blindsided everyone who watched it, and multiple pundits didn’t see Michigan losing this early into the 2020 season. With the loss, Michigan has a lot of work ahead of it, and it lost its freebie in losses. Michigan could afford to lose one game and still have a shot at the Big Ten Championship and more. Now, it has to win out, which is asking a lot.
After the loss, Michigan fell in the AP Top 25 poll, and the Wolverines are barely in it, ranked 23rd. This week they have a chance to upset No. 13 Indiana, which would push them inside the top 20 and possibly into the top 15. Michigan will need some teams ahead of them to fall, however. Which games could help the Wolverines this week?
Game 1: No. 9 BYU vs. No. 21 Boise State
A Friday night football game to get you ready for the weekend is the battle of the undefeated teams, BYU and Boise State. Both teams being undefeated and ranked higher than the Wolverines is not good for Michigan. For each of these teams, this is the hardest game on its schedule. After this, BYU has two games left in the season, and winning this game could shoot them into the top 5. Soon the Cougars could be considered a playoff team.
While a win for Boise State would push them up the rankings, it would eliminate BYU from being a playoff team, and the Cougars would fall in the rankings. If Michigan can upset Indiana, and BYU loses, that could push Michigan over BYU in the poll that comes out on Sunday.
Root for: No. 21 Boise State
Game 2: Arizona State vs. No. 20 USC
The Pac-12 starts conference play this week, and one team that should be on upset alert is the USC Trojans. Arizona State beat USC in 2018 and almost did it again last year. With a shortened season, every game matters. Arizona State upsetting USC would knock the Trojans out of the top 25. While Arizona State could sneak into the 25th spot or so, the loss helps the Wolverines in general.
This is possibly the toughest game of the season for both schools. With USC being the only ranked team in its division, a loss pushes it out of the playoff picture, even if it wins out and wins the conference. The fewer teams in the way for Michigan, the better.
Root for: Arizona State
Game 3: No. 14 Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State
Losing to Texas last week pushed Oklahoma State out of the top 10, but the Cowboys are still ahead of the Wolverines. Oklahoma State has to play Oklahoma later in the season. Despite the one loss to Texas, if Oklahoma State can win out and win the conference, it is a team that could be talked about in December when the final four teams are revealed.
Another loss eliminates them from the playoff picture. Being between Michigan and Indiana in the polls helps the Wolverines move up even further with a loss. Kansas State has a tough schedule still ahead of it, with games against Iowa State and Texas still to play after this week. Winning games against three ranked opponents will be very tough for the Wildcats. They just need one, and the sooner, the better for Michigan.
Root for: Kansas State
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