Paul Finebaum, Heather Dinich explain how the Big Ten could get two teams into the CFP

On3 imageby:Dan Morrison10/26/22

dan_morrison96

There are a couple of huge match-ups this weekend in the Big Ten East. Notably, that includes the Ohio StatePenn State and MichiganMichigan State games. These are games that are going to set the tone for the rest of the season in the Big Ten and, according to ESPN insiders Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich, could even set up the Big Ten to have two CFP teams.

“If they [Ohio State and Michigan] are top-four quality teams, there’s absolutely no reason that they should lose before they meet in the regular season finale. If by some chance, Penn State were to pull off a miracle, there is a possibility that they could all end in a three-way tie at 11-1, which is a convoluted Big Ten tie-breaking thing we don’t have time to get into,” Heather Dinich said on Get Up.

“But, here’s the bottom line, it’s that they have the possibility to still get in [to the CFP] together, Ohio State and Michigan, but I wouldn’t predict it unless by some chance Clemson were to lose to South Carolina or at Notre Dame, TCU loses, the PAC-12 has a one or two loss champ.”

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“Those non-conference schedules are gonna come under the microscope and fans of both teams–Ohio State and Michigan–when the rankings come out on Tuesday, pay attention to where Penn State is ranked. That is going to be the best win, probably, aside from each other on their resumes and that will help indicate just what the selection committee thinks of Ohio State and Michigan.”

So, with a little bit of help and the right perspective from the CFP selection committee, Michigan and Ohio State could both make the Playoff according to Heather Dinich. She’s not alone, though, as Paul Finebaum thinks that the chances the Big Ten gets multiple teams are “getting better by the hour.”

“A couple weeks ago, I did say I didn’t think there was much chance of it,” Paul Finebaum said. “But, right now, they are both excelling. Ohio State, to me, has been the most complete team and Michigan is that team that simply won’t go away, no matter what I say or anyone else says.”

Paul Finebaum then pointed out that the SEC still needs to be sorted for the CFP. After all, the SEC East still has two unbeaten teams while the West has a couple of notable one-loss teams. But, he also doesn’t think either Michigan or Ohio State has a major challenge before they play one another at the end of the regular season

Things can change and upsets do happen, but in the eyes of multiple ESPN experts, the Big Ten has a good shot at getting multiple teams into the CFP.