Since we're creating a bunch of narratives out of limited and irrelevant information like bowl game results when players have opted/transferred out...
We all know Michigan's schedule was Charmin soft, with the exception of PSU and OSU. But PSU got worked by Kiffykins, and OSU failed to score an offensive touchdown on Missouri. Clearly those wins by Michigan are worthless. Their schedule was probably no harder than the MAC champ.
How are they in the damn playoff after such a weak year where they have proven NOTHING against NOBODY?
I'm rarely the one to stick up for a team with a weak schedule, but there is an explanation.
A weak schedule doesn't mean a team isn't great, it just brings uncertainty. My mind always goes back to the multiple undefeated Boise teams. Their high school schedules were too weak to assume those teams deserved a spot at the table.
But they could have been that good. They may have been. But we couldn't assume so.
This year, Michigan's outscored their opponents by 27 ppg. That's high. Really high. All-time great teams win by 27-30 ppg.
And while UM's schedule was weak as hell, they did play in a P5 conference. So while no, the Marylands and Indianas and Minnesotas aren't good, they're better (on average) than the Nevadas and UNLVs and Wyomings of the world.
Pre-becoming P5, the great TCU and Utah teams and the G5 Boise teams were as dominant vs their schedules as UM was this year, but UM's schedule is only relatively weak compared to other strong P5 teams. It's not as weak as a G5 schedule.
So they get the benefit of the doubt with their +27 margin of victory vs a P5 schedule, even a relatively weak one.
A great team would dominate a weak schedule, and that's what UM has done.
