The College Football Playoff has begun. And whichever side of the conversation you find yourself on, we're all in agreement that the first four games have been anything but suspenseful. All the games left much to be desired for the upcoming matchups. Michigan football does not find itself in the College Football Playoff but it does find itself in one of the many, (insert whatever word you choose) bowl games in the following weeks.
Their opponent, the Alabama Crimson Tide, may have their argument for being left out of the College Playoff. But two things should leave Michigan football fans disgruntled with this upcoming matchup. Albeit a loss would, of course, leave them the most disgruntled.
Firstly, a team that, in many eyes, underwhelmed this season was gifted a matchup with Alabama. The peak of Michigan's season was going into Ohio State and winning "the game." The team had become bowl-eligible with the previous week's victory against Northwestern but nothing felt quite as joyful as beating Ohio State the week after. But the defending national champions led a struggling campaign through the 2024 season, struggling against high-quality opponents and barely beating others, the Wolverines are faced with another.
Michigan football going into Columbus and defeating Ohio State sent shockwaves, that februated through the Ohio State fanbase and college football. Could be a case of the powers that be limiting Michigan's time in the limelight. Nobody outshines the College Football Playoff. Either way, each consolation prize isn't so consolatory.
Bowl game isn't a great consolation prize
Secondly, the number of players who opted out of playing this game is exhaust-worthy. Mason Graham. Will Johnson. Myles Hinton. Donovan Edwards. Just to name a few. A few too many. The transfer portal has wreaked havoc on many bowl games, with many players having transferred from their original teams. The upcoming NFL draft will always lead to players opting out of additional games to improve their draft stock. No matter the reason, Michigan football will be without key players. A team already in a vulnerable spot became more vulnerable. Michigan fans can choose to look at it from the vantage point that there are things to look forward to in the upcoming season. Cue Bryce Underwood chants. This bowl game doesn't change anything about the future. But going against Alabama, on national television, with an undermanned team is not optimal. And the possibility of a blowout loss makes the pre–New Year's celebration feel less spectacular.
In a season, marred by frustration and a carousel of quarterbacks, Alex Orgi also entered the transfer portal, the Michigan Wolverine fanbase has had to come to terms with what it is like to be on top of the mountain and what it is like to be on the bottom.
There is still plenty of uncertainty around the Michigan Wolverines and even though there is reason for excitement, there are even more reasons for caution. Maybe defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes should have been the bowl game. Maybe trying to plant the Wolverine flag in the middle of the field, was really a way of planting a flag on the season as a whole. The game against the Crimson Tide, where the Wolverines are over a 12-point underdog, is just a reminder that it is lonely at the top but even lonelier when you're tossed into the bowl game carousel.