Michigan Wolverines news: Playoff odds according to ESPN FPI, plus more
The ESPN FPI just released a spring update recently and it's one that Michigan football fans will find interesting. The Michigan Wolverines ranked outside the top 10 but much of that has to do with the unknowns at quarterback.
The FPI is all about analytics and the computers probably don't love the fact that Michigan football has an entirely new offense, at least on paper. Colston Loveland is the only returning starter but the offensive line will be just fine. Better than fine under Sherrone Moore and Grant Newsome.
The Michigan Wolverines will have an elite defense and they are still going to be a tough team. Kenneth Grant even said Michigan football is "even more physical" under Moore as head coach.
But back to the FPI. While the Wolverines are 12th in the post-spring rankings, they do have a solid chance of making the 12-team College Football Playoff. According to the FPI, Michigan football has a 29-percent chance of making the playoffs. That checks out to me, although it could be higher.
The way I look at it, Mchigan could make the postseason as a nine or 10-win team as long as they win one of their top-10 matchups against Texas, Oregon, or Ohio State. Michigan also has games it must win against Washington and USC, but if they win one of those big three games, another loss might not hurt as much.
The Michigan Wolverines are one of 18 teams with at least a 20-percent chance of making the playoff according to ESPN FPI. Michigan is fourth among Big Ten teams at 29 percent. Oregon is at 76 percent, followed by Ohio State (67) and Penn State (57).
Michigan Wolverines a finalist for 4-star D-lineman
Michigan football is on commitment watch this weekend with four-star defensive line recruit Jaylen Williams, who is on campus for an official visit.
While he was on his official visit, Williams, a 6-foot-6, 270-pounder out of Illinois, released a top four that includes Michigan football, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Tennessee.
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Williams has an official visit set up for Nebraska later this month, but it feels like the Wolverines might be able to lock down a commitment before then, which would be ideal.