Michigan’s stunned reaction to Alabama matchup in College Football Playoff says it all

Here’s what it sounded like when the Wolverines learned they’d be playing Alabama

As the old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

So what does that mean in the video age?

While you ponder that question, we can turn to the Michigan Wolverines. In the eyes of the College Football Playoff selection committee, the Big Ten Champions are the top team in the nation, and were put in the No. 1 slot in the rankings released on Sunday.

That left the Wolverines waiting — along with the rest of us — to see who the last team in the CFP would be. Would it be Alabama, coming off a victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game? Or would it be Florida State, coming off an ACC Championship Game victory over Louisville, and a team that lost their starting quarterback to a season-ending injury a few weeks ago?

As you probably know by now, the committee put the Crimson Tide into the Playoff. Here’s how that moment sounded in Indianapolis, where the Wolverines had gathered to watch the announcement:

That initial reaction probably speaks for itself.

Of course, the Wolverines are the top team in the nation, and will likely enter the Rose Bowl as favorites against Alabama. Still, if you were in their shoes who would you rather play? A Florida State team without its starting quarterback? Or an Alabama team that has not lost since the start of September ... and just beat the previous No. 1 team in the nation?

Read our JP Acosta on why Florida State’s denial is a disgrace for the College Football Playoff.

You might groan, too.