College Football Playoff: Week 11 results from a Michigan State perspective
Michigan State football checked in at No. 9 in the college football playoff rankings this week, so maybe it’s okay to start dreaming playoffs again. Last weekend helped MSU on several fronts and so we can entertain this idea at least one more week.
Must Read: Michigan State vs Ohio State: 5 bold predictions
Of course, the Spartan’s playoff hopes hinge entirely on this weekend’s game against Ohio State. It always has, but the margin for error has been completely eliminated at this point.
More from Spartans Football
- Michigan State football: 5 candidates to replace Mel Tucker as head coach
- Michigan State football: 3 not-so-quick takes from rewatching Washington loss
- Michigan State Football: Revisiting Week 3 goals vs. Washington
- Michigan State vs. Washington: How to watch, odds, injuries, weather, prediction
- Michigan State Football: 3 goals and a prediction against Washington
Had MSU not blown the game against Nebraska, it would be fully in control of their destiny, but as it stands now, even winning the Big Ten Championship doesn’t guarantee a spot in the playoff for the Spartans.
Last week, we speculated that two of three contenders would have to be eliminated to get a one-loss MSU into the playoff — from the ACC, Pac-12, and Notre Dame. The Pac-12 did its part last weekend with losses for Stanford and Utah.
MSU fans will be doing some channel surfing this weekend as several big games will impact the college football playoff landscape.
The most important result
Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Perry Hills (11) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans defensive tackle Craig Evans (72) during the first half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
MSU 24, Maryland 7: The unthinkable happened when Connor Cook went out of the game injured for the Spartans. They were able to pull out a less-than-inspiring win, but at this point a win is a win.
Results that helped
November 14, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) celebrates after the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. The Ducks defeated the Cardinal 38-36. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon 38, No. 7 Stanford 36: This was a doubly good result for Michigan State. Not only did the Pac-12 leader get a second loss, but the better Oregon does, the better MSU’s win against them looks. Oregon is back in the top 25 and that will matter in the end for the Spartans.
Arizona 37, No. 10 Utah 30: This loss for Utah guaranteed that the Pac-12 would have at most a two-loss champion. You would have to like MSU’s chances against a two-loss champ.
Arkansas 31, No. 9 LSU 14: Any losses by teams ranked ahead of MSU are good looks for the Spartans.
No. 5 Iowa 40, Minnesota 35: As long as Iowa keeps winning and MSU keeps winning it will be a matchup of top-10 and maybe top-five teams for the Big Ten Championship.
No. 14 Michigan 48, Indiana 41 (2OT): Michigan wins are good for MSU, even if we really want them to lose.
Results that will matter
Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs off the field as Sooners wide receiver Jarvis Baxter (1) and fullback Dimitri Flowers (36) celebrate during the second half against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Sooners defeat the Bears 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
No. 12 Oklahoma 44, No. 6 Baylor 34: On the one hand, the first loss for Baylor is a good thing, on the other hand, MSU would love for Oklahoma to get a second loss. On balance, this was probably a good result for MSU.
Results that could have helped and then they didn’t
Nov 14, 2015; Ames, IA, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback J.W. Walsh (4) carries the ball to score a touchdown against the Iowa State Cyclones in the fourth quarter at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-31. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
No. 8 Oklahoma St 35, Iowa St 31: Iowa State had a 10 point lead going into the fourth quarter, but 14 unanswered by Oklahoma State led them to victory. The Big 12 is such a mess that it is hard to imagine they don’t end up with a one-loss champion. This result could have gone a long way to getting them a two-loss champ — it wasn’t meant to be, though.
No. 24 Houston 35, No. 21 Memphis 34: It looked like the American Athletic Conference was going to lose its last undefeated team when Memphis was up 13 points in the fourth quarter on undefeated Houston. Houston was able to pull out the victory and kept its slim playoff hopes alive. So far being undefeated has not meant very much to the playoff committee, but a loss would just put Houston out of contention.
No. 15 TCU 23, Kansas 17: The TCU Horned Frogs lost their Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback in the first quarter and then struggled against a very bad Kansas team. This game was tied at the half and a loss would have put TCU in full spoiler mode for the rest of the Big 12 season.
Results that hurt
Nov 14, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Josh Adams (33) runs for a 98 yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
No. 4 Notre Dame 28, Wake Forest 7: Notre Dame might be MSU’s biggest playoff threat. It would really help if they loss once over the next two weeks.
No. 2 Alabama 31, No. 17 Mississippi St 6: If Alabama keeps crushing ranked opponents, Michigan State will have no argument against the Crimson Tide even with an identical record.