Michigan's formula for reaching the College Football Playoff is simple: Beat Ohio State.

If the Wolverines don't do that, they have no shot.

But they still got a boost in the CFP rankings on Tuesday night, jumping to No. 15 from No. 18 (rankings below).

The top five remained unchanged: 1. Ohio State, 2. Indiana, 3. Texas A&M, 4. Georgia, 5. Texas Tech.

The rankings will be updated two more times – Tuesday, Dec. 2, and Sunday Dec. 7, when the final 12-team CFP will be announced.

Michigan also could erase all doubt about the CFP by winning the Big Ten championship. But that, of course, would also require a win over the Buckeyes on Saturday (noon, Fox).

In other games involving Big Ten CFP contenders, Indiana plays at Purdue (Friday, 7:30, NBC) and Oregon plays at Washington (Saturday,

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