CFP Chairman Explains Why Michigan Is Ranked Over Michigan State Despite Head-to-Head Loss

Gary Barta tried to explain the committee's rationale for ranking the Wolverines ahead of the Spartans despite the two teams' head-to-head result.

For the second consecutive week, Michigan was ranked ahead of Michigan State in the College Football Playoff committee's weekly rankings release. This time, committee chairman Gary Barta's explanation for such a result drew even more raised eyebrows.

Michigan State beat Michigan, 37-33, at home on Oct. 30, though that result was not enough to convince the committee members the Spartans are the better side. As Barta put it, watching the games is not the end-all, be-all of the discussion.

Gary Barta: "Set aside watching the games, though that’s certainly a part of it. But statistically in just about every category, offensively and defensively, Michigan comes out on top over Michigan State."

OK then.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 17, 2021

Michigan ranks 25th nationally in scoring, one spot ahead of Michigan State. The Wolverines are fourth in scoring defense (16.1 points allowed per game) while the Spartans are 40th (22.5). A week after beating Michigan, Michigan State was upset at Purdue, 40-29.

Michigan State will get a chance to improve its playoff resumé this week with a road trip to No. 4 Ohio State. Michigan travels to Maryland this Saturday, followed by a home game against the Buckeyes on Nov. 27 to conclude the regular season.