ESPN Gives Michigan The Best Shot At Making The College Football Playoff

Regardless of what you think about some of the loudest voices on that network, ESPN's playoff predictor now gives the Wolverines the best shot in the country at making the CFP.

It's no secret that Michigan fans aren't all that interested in anything coming from ESPN these days, and it's certainly justified. 

For several weeks, prominent members of the network have been leading the effort to have Michigan's season derailed. Stephen A. Smith repeatedly said that Michigan should be banned from playing in the Big Ten Championship game, while Paul Finebaum - who can't seem to keep Michigan out of his mouth - has called for the Wolverines to be banned from the College Football Playoff. 

Regardless of what you think about some of the loudest voices on that network, ESPN's playoff predictor now gives the Wolverines the best shot in the country at making the CFP. 

1. Michigan: 66 percent
2. Florida State: 65 percent
3. Ohio State: 64 percent
4. Georgia: 53 percent
5. Alabama: 41 percent
6. Oregon: 39 percent
7. Texas: 37 percent
8. Washington: 34 percent
9. Oklahoma: 1 percent
10. Louisville: 1 percent

Even after their dominant road win against No. 10 Penn State in Happy Valley, the Wolverines remained at No. 3 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Georgia took over the No. 1 spot, while Ohio State moved down one spot to No. 2. 

BREAKING: College Football Playoff Rankings🚨https://t.co/X7u3ZCfW9y pic.twitter.com/8c2kU3XEoP

— On3 (@On3sports) November 15, 2023

Although the Wolverines will need to take care of business this weekend in College Park against Maryland, the upcoming matchup with Ohio State in just 10 days is already one of the most anticipated games between the two rivals in recent memory. Not only will the 'The Game' feature two teams within the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings, there's also the backdrop that includes allegations of sign-stealing, the possibility that Ryan Day was behind the investigation into the Michigan Football program, accusations that both programs engaged in questionable conduct over the last several years, and the possibility that Jim Harbaugh won't be on the sidelines.   

While the Buckeyes have gotten the best of the Wolverines over the last two decades, it's been Michigan who has put together back-to-back dominant wins in 2021 and 2022 - and they'll look to continue that streak in Ann Arbor on Nov. 25.