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Illinois Football: Everything the Illini need to make the College Football Playoff

By Rees Woodcock

Sep 10, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. (88) and teammates celebrate Saturday’s 24-3 win over the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. (88) and teammates celebrate Saturday’s 24-3 win over the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 29: Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines speaks to the press after a college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 29-7 over the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 29: Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines speaks to the press after a college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 29-7 over the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

10. Michigan isn’t a match for Ohio State

  • Loss to Illinois on November 19
  • Loss at Ohio State on November 26
  • 2 losses – Eliminated

There are a couple of teams Illinois could beat down the stretch to make things really interesting for the selection committee. The first team we get to is No. 5 Michigan.

Michigan will win their next two games against Rutgers and Nebraska. Those should be easy contests for the Wolverines. But then they welcome in Illinois on November 19. The Illini have to win this game to have any chance at making the College Football Playoff.

A win by Illinois would give Michigan their first loss of the season. They would then take that loss into the following week at No. 2 Ohio State. I think Illinois fans need this game to go in favor of the Buckeyes.

With a loss to Illinois and a loss to Ohio State, Michigan would be out of the conversation for the College Football Playoff. These two losses would also knock the Wolverines out of contention to make the Big Ten Championship game as well.

On top of the two losses for Michigan, they would only have one top-25 win on the season. Their resume would be fairly weak. At this point, I doubt they would even make a New Year’s Six bowl game. I believe Illinois needs Michigan to lose these two games.

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