Is Michigan one of the four most deserving teams? After losses to Iowa and Ohio State, as well as not winning the Big Ten East and going to the Big Ten championship game, the Wolverines would most likely be eliminated in that structure.
But is Michigan one of the four best teams in the country? That’s where there’s a strong case to be made.
The committee has made it very obvious, both on its website and in practice, that it values conference championships. That’s obviously to Michigan’s disadvantage. But let’s say Penn State—ranked No. 7 in the last rankings—beats Wisconsin and wins the Big Ten.