Kyle Whittingham projected to get his first signature Michigan win early next season

Few teams will be under as much of a microscope playing for a new head coach than Michigan will be with Kyle Whittingham. The longtime Utah head coach came to Ann Arbor this offseason to do three things: Bring stability back to this traditional power, reach the College Football Playoff, and prove his former employer so wrong. There is one game that could decide if Michigan makes the playoff or not.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Michigan will be laying 2.5 points at home v. Oklahoma in Week 2.

Should Whittingham get that first signature victory over his Michigan tenure in Week 2 of the season, that could play a huge part in the Wolverines getting above the cut line. The second part of a home-and-home with OU is easily the toughest game Michigan has to play in the non-conference. They also have three rather challenging games in Big Ten play in home vs. Indiana, at Oregon, and at Ohio State.

If Michigan beats Oklahoma and takes one of those three, they should be a lock to make the playoff.

Michigan favored over Oklahoma breathes life into playoff opportunities

Let's put this as simple as possible. Until something drastically changes to the College Football Playoff field once again, there are three plausible ways to make the 12-team field. Either you win your Power Four league, be the best team out of the Group of Six in the eyes of the Selection Committee, or be one of the next best seven Power Four teams with a 10-2 record or better. It is just that simple.

Where things stand now, there are eight teams giving off way-too-early playoff lock vibes. Georgia, Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon have all made it each of the last two seasons in a 12-team format. Why would we believe any of them would fall below the cut line this year? Miami and Texas Tech loom large as juggernauts in their leagues. They will probably be back. Notre Dame and Texas seem legit.

So if those eight teams make the playoff, that leaves only three spots available for teams like Michigan. One of the four will go to the best team out of the Group of Six. For Michigan to get ahead of the rest of the pack, the Wolverines will need wins to boost up their resume. While teams like Iowa could be interesting, Oklahoma, Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State will define Whittingham's first year.

Should the Wolverines take care of business vs. Oklahoma at home in Week 2, that could give Michigan its first true pelt on the wall in this new era. OU was a playoff team a season ago. While it remains to be seen if Brent Venables' team will make it back this year, the Sooners should be among Michigan's biggest competition for a lower-end, at-large bid. This game might be a real litmus test.

And as far as if Michigan can hold steady the rest of the way and maybe knock off either Indiana, Oregon, or Ohio State, that remains to be seen. As is the case with a victory over Oklahoma, a win over any of them likely forces Michigan into serious playoff consideration. As long as the Sooners do not falter, the Wolverines will need to get at least one of those conference games to go 7-2 next fall.

Right now, Michigan being a slight home favorite over Oklahoma bodes well for its playoff chances.