In preparation for my history class this week, I threw together this chart. It’s a look over time at the potential games Michigan (and technically, the rest of the Big Ten) could play in a given season over time.
Granted, we bucked the regular season pattern a few times over the years by adding an extra game, but this is the basic trend since 1932. Notes:
- Yes, as early as 2024 team could play the equivalent of a full NFL 17-game regular season if it plays in the B1G title game and then receives a 5th seed or lower in the twelve-team playoff (and then plays its way into the championship game).
- As the rules stand today, Notre Dame could receive no better than a 5th seed in the playoff. Wonder why they are ok with that? Must be the money. Given they don’t share their bowl/playoff money with anyone, Irish AD Jack Swarbrick probably did the math. A fifth seed avoids a bye and opens the potential for four extra games (vs. three), including an additional home game if they are seeded 5-8.
