Asking what might soon become the biggest question in college football this year...

Mike

I am pretty sure the committee has already said, "No, we won't - it's the Big Ten's and the NCAA's problem, not ours."

The only ways I can see the CFP getting involved is if either:
(a) Michigan is hit with a postseason ban just before the playoffs, in which case, the CFP has to scramble to find a replacement (which is one reason I don't see this happening in the first place), or
(b) Michigan wins the CFP championship but, for some reason, has to vacate the championship game win, in which case, the CFP could strip Michigan of its championship. Note that, going by a strict reading of the NCAA Bylaws, the CFP cannot demand that the players give back their championship rings, since, technically, the CFP wasn't authorized to give them out in the first place (one of the problems of the championship game technically not being a "bowl game"). In theory, it could demand that Michigan give back the trophy, under penalty of not being eligible to be ranked (in other words, a de facto indefinite playoff ban) until it does.

The NOTBCS Guy <don.p.del.grande@gmail.com> wrote in
news:61f49a0c-3448-4ad6-bd2c-360ff909444an@googlegroups.com:

> I am pretty sure the committee has already said, "No, we won't - it's
> the Big Ten's and the NCAA's problem, not ours."
>
> The only ways I can see the CFP getting involved is if either:
> (a) Michigan is hit with a postseason ban just before the playoffs, in
> which case, the CFP has to scramble to find a replacement (which is
> one reason I don't see this happening in the first place), or (b)
> Michigan wins the CFP championship but, for some reason, has to vacate
> the championship game win, in which case, the CFP could strip Michigan
> of its championship. Note that, going by a strict reading of the NCAA
> Bylaws, the CFP cannot demand that the players give back their
> championship rings, since, technically, the CFP wasn't authorized to
> give them out in the first place (one of the problems of the
> championship game technically not being a "bowl game"). In theory, it
> could demand that Michigan give back the trophy, under penalty of not
> being eligible to be ranked (in other words, a de facto indefinite
> playoff ban) until it does.

The team as a whole should not be penalized.

Fire Harbaugh and the AD because there is no way they didn't know it was
happening and were stupid enough to get caught.

On Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 12:24:51 PM UTC-8, The NOTBCS Guy wrote:
> I am pretty sure the committee has already said, "No, we won't - it's the Big Ten's and the NCAA's problem, not ours."

The Big Ten is a signatory. They're part of this process.

The one reason I may be forced to agree with you is the Ohio State tattoo scandal, and that the games weren't changed as a result. (Michigan State would've gone to the Rose instead of Wisconsin that year, Wisconsin probably then replaces Ohio State in the Sugar.)

> The only ways I can see the CFP getting involved is if either:
> (a) Michigan is hit with a postseason ban just before the playoffs, in which case, the CFP has to scramble to find a replacement (which is one reason I don't see this happening in the first place), or

No, you just put #5 in. Then it's highest seed vs. 5 and the other two. You just take Michigan out of the situation. Not difficult at all.

> (b) Michigan wins the CFP championship but, for some reason, has to vacate the championship game win, in which case, the CFP could strip Michigan of its championship. Note that, going by a strict reading of the NCAA Bylaws, the CFP cannot demand that the players give back their championship rings, since, technically, the CFP wasn't authorized to give them out in the first place (one of the problems of the championship game technically not being a "bowl game"). In theory, it could demand that Michigan give back the trophy, under penalty of not being eligible to be ranked (in other words, a de facto indefinite playoff ban) until it does.

I think, if we get that far, they won't have to worry -- they will be banned for quite a while. I could easily see the entire Harbaugh Era wiped and a long bowl ban.

This is one of the reasons I thought the refs might step in today (easier today than in two weeks at the Big House).

At this point, Michigan's theory is the Stalker's Paradox: "If I can't have it, no one will."

Mike

On Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 2:14:11 PM UTC-8, rotting beavers wrote:

> The team as a whole should not be penalized.

No, you can't do that in this case anymore. This current season has been irreparably compromised by this "Sportsmanship" action.
> Fire Harbaugh and the AD because there is no way they didn't know it was
> happening and were stupid enough to get caught.

I don't think (see other post) that Michigan is going to get the option otherwise.

Mike