ESPN: Michigan football has a 6% chance to win the Big Ten in 2025

The Wolverines aren't getting much love to win their conference.
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Michigan football finished 8-5 last season, but expectations around Ann Arbor are quite high heading into the 2025 season. The Wolverines ended the season in 2024 with big wins against rival Ohio State and Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Michigan also had a top recruiting class after landing five-star QB Bryce Underwood, who is expected to lead the charge for the Wolverines.

It wasn't too long ago that Michigan made its living in the Big Ten. From 2021-23, the Wolverines won three-straight Big Ten titles, made three College Football Playoff appearances, and won the entire thing in 2023. But with the Connor Stalions' saga, it feels like it was ages ago to some fans.

But 2025 is a new year, and there are new analytics out showing the probability Michigan has to not only make it back to the National Championship Game, but to win the Big Ten, and get into the College Football Playoff.

ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) came out for every college football team entering 2025, and Michigan football came in at No. 17 overall.

Here's the breakdown on the percentages ESPN gives the Wolverines:

Projected win/loss in 2025: 8.4-3.7
Win out %: 0.6%
6+ win%: 94.2%
Win Conference: 6%
Make CFP: 25.3%
Make National Championship Game: 2.6%
Win National Title: 1%

Michigan Footbal
Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Getting into the College Football Playoff is much easier in today's day and age compared to just two seasons ago when Michigan won the entire thing. The Wolverines had to of been one of the top four teams in the country, compared to the top 12 (including one Group of Five school). The Wolverines' schedule is much favorable in 2025 than it was in 2024 -- especially in the Big Ten.

Nobody knows what Michigan is going to look like until it takes the field this fall, but the Wolverines are bound to have a much more prolific offense compared to last year. Michigan had the 131st-ranked passing attack, and with Underwood, along with new OC Chip Lindsey -- that will only go up.

The Big Ten is a gauntlet with Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon, along with others, but Michigan isn't going to be an easy out in 2025.

Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

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Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

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