This time a year ago, there was a lot of buzz about what freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood was about to do for Michigan in his first season. Ultimately, he never met expectations, and it felt like the Wolverines had a bit of a fall from grace. Now, heading into 2026, the buzz is there again, and this time not just for Underwood, but for this Michigan team as a whole.
The ultimate goal for each team is to win a National Championship, but you can't do that without making it to the College Football Playoff first, which isn't quite as stingy with the teams they allow in as it was back when Michigan won it all. Now, 12 teams make the cut, and this season, many aren't believing that Michigan is one of them.
However, the Allstate Playoff Predictor seems to have some faith in Michigan as it listed the top 14 teams with the best chances to make the playoff, and suddenly, the Wolverines are in the mix with a 23% chance.
The hopes are high to reach the CFP 🏆
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) September 1, 2026
Thirteen teams enter Week 1 with at least a 25% chance to reach the Playoff according to the Allstate Playoff Predictor.
USC saw its chance to reach the Playoff drop from 28% to 16% after a narrower-than-expected Week 0 win over San Jose… pic.twitter.com/tAlOeFejbK
Michigan's chances of making the CFP are as high as they have been all offseason
It is no surprise that a team with an entirely new coaching staff that struggled offensively but somehow still managed to go 9-3 last season doesn't have the highest chances of making the CFP. It felt like Michigan had to rebuild after needing to hire Whittingham, but really, he reminded this program of what it once was.
The buzz that is coming out of Ann Arbor this season makes it seem like this is an entirely new team when a good portion of the roster has returned and just has a few new additions from Utah and the 2026 recruiting class.
The Wolverines were able to move into that Top 14 spot after USC saw its chances drop from 28% to 19% after a game against San Jose State, where the stadium was empty and the team played like it. The Trojans kept the matchup way too close for a "cupcake" non-conference game, thus seeing their chances of making the CFP drop.
On paper, this Michigan team has everything it needs to make the CFP: from a quarterback who seems to have improved tremendously, a running back room that is stacked from head to toe, an actually talented wide receiver room, an offensive line with serious depth, and a defense that has the ability to defend the entire field.
Michigan could see its chances of making the CFP grow over the season, especially if it wins at least half of the preseason ranked matchup its has right now, which just so happens to be six. With one of the toughest schedules in college football, the table is set for Michigan to have at least a chance to compete for another National Championship by securing a spot in the College Football Playoff.
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