No team has a longer college football playoff appearance streak than the Michigan Wolverines, and while many expect the Maize and Blue to take a step back in Sherrone Moore’s first year, the streak could still be extended.
Michigan football has reached at least the semifinals three seasons in a row, with last year being a berth in the national championship and a subsequent victory. The College Football Playoff is expanding from four to 12 teams this year, with the first round being played on college campuses. AND Bill Bender of Sporting News expects the Wolverines will have the opportunity to play in the postseason once again.
First Round (Dec. 21): No. 11 Michigan at No. 6 Notre Dame
The Wolverines and Irish haven’t met since 2019. Notre Dame will follow a very similar CFP formula that Michigan took to a national championship last season, which includes a nasty defense and turnover-free football. This game would be a throwback to the instant classics of the 1990s.
While the inclusion may be good news, Bender causes Michigan to lose to Notre Dame in South Bend, allowing the Irish to advance to the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31 to face No. 3 Utah. We’re not that optimistic about Notre Dame at this point, as Marcus Freeman still hasn’t put it all together and even under Brian Kelly, ND hasn’t managed to win a playoff game.
Still, if the field could see Michigan get in, if it could figure out the quarterback position, the Wolverines would be the team no one wants to see in the playoffs.
