Does the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry mean less now that the playoff has expanded to 12 teams? Vote in this edition of SB Nation Reacts.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Michigan Wolverines fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Michigan’s biggest rival will be playing in the National Championship on Monday night, despite the Wolverines beating them in November. Michigan beat Ohio State 13-10 in November, but in the new era of the expanded College Football Playoff, which now features 12 teams, a loss to the Wolverines is no longer fatal. Which leads us to our SB Nation Reacts questions for this week.
Does the expanded playoff lessen the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry? We also want to know if you think Ohio State will cover the spread against Notre Dame or if you think Notre Dame will beat the Buckeyes.
Vote below.
I personally don’t believe the expanded playoff lessens the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry and the bragging rights that come along with winning the matchup. However, it’s still factual to say a loss in the matchup is much less impactful than it once was. Ohio State not only lost to Michigan, but the loss knocked them out of the Big Ten Championship Game. The Buckeyes still made the playoffs and whooped the Big Ten champs, Oregon at the Rose Bowl.
When it comes to the Ohio State-Notre Dame National Championship, the Buckeyes are heavily favored, but they were also big favorites against Michigan and that didn’t turn out well for them. Notre Dame plays a physical brand of football, has a great defense, and believes in running the football. This matchup could be closer than the spread indicates.
How did you vote this week? Let us know in the comments and come back later this week when we reveal the results.