Michigan football: What are Wolverines' chances to make College Football Playoff in 2024 season?
The Michigan Wolverines were among the biggest fallers in the latest update of the AP Top 25 poll. Following their 27-17 loss to the unranked Washington Huskies, Michigan dropped 14 spots, sliding from 10th to 24th in the rankings. The defending national champions are now 4-2, and 2-1 in Big Ten play.
While no two-loss team reached the College Football Playoff under the 10 years of the four-team format, the Wolverines are down but not out as that trend could change under the current 12-team format. Take a look at the odds of Michigan reaching the postseason for the fourth consecutive season below.
What are the Michigan Wolverines' chances to make College Football Playoff in 2024 season?
The Michigan Wolverines' odds of reaching the postseason are very slim, sitting at +3000 following their Week 6 loss. Those odds are tied with the Texas State Bobcats and James Madison Dukes for the 43rd-best in the nation. While there will likely be multiple two-loss teams that reach the postseason, the No. 24-ranked Wolverines have a tough schedule the rest of the way.
They will return from a Week 7 bye with a road matchup against the No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini. After facing the rival Michigan State Spartans, the No. 3-ranked Oregon Ducks will visit The Big House on Nov. 2. Michigan will visit the No. 18-ranked Indiana Hoosiers the following week.
Their second bye, which will come in Week 12, will be followed by a home game against the Northwestern Wildcats. The Wolverines will finish their regular season slate with a trip to Columbus to face the No. 2-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.
While Michigan has reached the postseason in each of the past three seasons, it will likely need to finish 5-1, if not undefeated, over the final stretch to receive serious postseason consideration. Due to the difficult nature of the final six games, which features four ranked opponents who are a combined 20-1, it is difficult to see the Wolverines turning things around.
Their offense has struggled tremendously throughout the season, limiting the team's ceiling. It averages just 23.5 points per game, ranking 100th out of 134 teams in the nation in scoring offense. Michigan's 306.3 yards per game rank 118th, largely due to a struggling passing offense that has averaged just 115.0 yards per game, ranking 130th in the nation.