Election 1976 is two weeks longer...does Ford overtake Carter?

[sg0508]

After the DNC in which Pres. Ford trailed in the popular vote by 33 points, he substantially cut into Carter's lead throughout the rest of the summer and into the fall.  Only the "Eastern Europe" comment slowed the momentum.  Then, in the final few weeks, Ford gained a second wind and nearly overtook Carter in the popular vote and likely won a few additional states in the electoral college that he otherwise may have lost.  Given the President's momentum in the final weeks, had the election taken place say two weeks later, does Pres. Ford find a way to victory? It only would have taken a combination of OH/WI, or OH/HI/MS, or simply NY to put him over the top.