I pointed out earlier this afternoon that this weekend sees 5 Big Ten teams play 5 ACC teams, so in effect, this is an "ACC-B1G Challenge" for football. As I watch "playoff contender" Clemson struggle with 0-2 Louisville, it occurs to me that tonight's game and the 5 game mini challenge has a greater impact on the playoffs and MSU than I previously realized.
It all comes back to the question "can an 11-1 MSU team with a lose to OSU still make the playoffs?" For that to happen, 2 of the 5 Power conference need to have a less than impressive champion, and let's be honest, we all know which conference is the weakest of the 5 (hint: it starts with A and ends with C). Realistically, there are only 3 real contender in the ACC: FSU, Clemson, and GA Tech. FSU has looked shaky so far and play the other 2 contenders on the road (as well as Florida). GA Tech also plays at Clemson on the road as well as Notre Dame on the road and gets Georgia at home. So, it is not hard to imagine why I would think Clemson has the upper hand, a priori, based on schedule.
If Louisville can pull this off (it is now 17-10 Clemson), the ACC would be in somewhat shaky shape to get a playoff birth. But, you know what would help? The 4-5 Big Ten teams getting wins over ACC teams this weekend. It is a secondary effect, since MSU doesn't play any ACC team. In this case, I might even be tempted to root against Pitt, but I probably won't.
It all comes back to the question "can an 11-1 MSU team with a lose to OSU still make the playoffs?" For that to happen, 2 of the 5 Power conference need to have a less than impressive champion, and let's be honest, we all know which conference is the weakest of the 5 (hint: it starts with A and ends with C). Realistically, there are only 3 real contender in the ACC: FSU, Clemson, and GA Tech. FSU has looked shaky so far and play the other 2 contenders on the road (as well as Florida). GA Tech also plays at Clemson on the road as well as Notre Dame on the road and gets Georgia at home. So, it is not hard to imagine why I would think Clemson has the upper hand, a priori, based on schedule.
If Louisville can pull this off (it is now 17-10 Clemson), the ACC would be in somewhat shaky shape to get a playoff birth. But, you know what would help? The 4-5 Big Ten teams getting wins over ACC teams this weekend. It is a secondary effect, since MSU doesn't play any ACC team. In this case, I might even be tempted to root against Pitt, but I probably won't.
