Michigan Football: Is there any hope of making CFB Playoff in 2018?

After an epic championship game, the season is officially in the books. Looking ahead, is there any hope Michigan football can make the playoffs in 2018?

Despite a disappointing 2017 season, when looking ahead to next year, Michigan football is listed again as a favorite to contend for the College Football Playoffs.

After an epic battle between Alabama and Georgia Monday night, a game won by the Crimson Tide, people started looking ahead to the 2018 season. Of course, Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State are among the favorites. Clemson is another team that’s favored more heavily than the Wolverines.

But right after those four power-house programs, Michigan football is right there, with the fifth-best odds according to Las Vegas of winning the national championship in 2018.

It sound might a little insane, but it’s true.   It’s hard to put your finger on why Las Vegas is so high on Michigan but there are some good reasons to be excited. Since Jim Harbaugh took over, the Wolverines have had one of the best defensive teams in the country.

Look at Georgia and Alabama. Yes those teams were darn good on offense, but their defenses got them to the championship game. And that could ring true for the Wolverines too. They just need to find a quarterback.

It seems that Vegas is counting on the Wolverines having Shea Patterson eligible for 2018. If that’s the case, the idea of Michigan winning the Big Ten and making the playoff is a lot more viable. If he’s not eligible, then it seems more like a pipe dream. Unless Dylan McCaffrey is ready to step up or Brandon Peters gets a lot better.

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But back to the defense. Michigan will lose just two starters from the 2017 team, Mike McCray and Maurice Hurst. Hurst is the biggest loss. He’s one of the top defensive tackles in the 2018 NFL draft and a consensus All-American.

However, Michigan still boasts Chase Winovich, Rashan Gary, Devin Bush, Khaleke Hudson, Josh Mettellus, Tyree Kinnel, Davig Long and Lavert Hill. Noah Furbush is also back at linebacker, while the defensive line also has Brian Mone and Aubrey Solomon, the top DT in the 2017 class returning.

So the cupboard is pretty stocked on defense. Offensively, it’s not bad either. Tarik Black, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins, Grant Perry, Kekoa Crawford and Eddie McDoom are all back. Chris Evans and Karan Higdon, the two leading rushers also return. Basically, all the tight ends are back, however the offensive line does lose Mason Cole and Pat Kugler.

Essentially, Harbaugh and crew have everything they need to win, except a quarterback. But even if Patterson plays or McCaffrey breaks out, the schedule is still brutal and could be UM’s biggest obstacle.

When looking at the final AP poll of the 2017 season, six Michigan football opponents next season, were ranked in the top 17. All six of those teams won 10 games and four of those contests will be on the road in 2018.

Michigan will play at Notre Dame, Northwestern, Michigan State and Ohio State. The Wolverines also have home dates against Wisconsin and Penn State. That’s a tough schedule, no matter how you slice it.

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It’s fun to think what Michigan football could be next season. The Wolverines will certainly have talent, but unless they find a quarterback that can win big games, they won’t sniff the College Football Playoff or a Big Ten championship for that matter.