Michigan Football Playoff Matchup Becoming Clear

Last night got the ball rolling on conference championship weekend, with the last-ever PAC-12 football game being played between No. 3 Washington and No. 5 Oregon, with the winner advancing to the College Football Playoff (CFP). This evening, the No. 2 Wolverines will face Iowa in the Big Ten title game with the same stakes — a win indicates a third straight Michigan football playoff berth. Assuming Georgia also wins, Michigan‘s playoff opponent and bowl game (Rose Bowl) appears to be pretty clear right now.

Michigan football playoff matchup becoming clearer after Washinton beats Oregon

Last night the Washington Huskies beat the Oregon Ducks in the PAC-12 title game, 34-31, marking the last-ever Pacific American Conference football game. Washington’s win sends them to the College Football Playoff, just like Michigan, so long as U-M beats Iowa tonight.

Michigan likely headed to the Rose Bowl game

Seeing as Michigan football currently sits at No. 2 in the country, it’s a safe bet that the Wolverines will be playing in the Rose Bowl game. I believe Michigan would choose the Rose Bowl if Georgia loses at U-M jumps to No. 1, and if the Bulldogs win, they are more than likely to choose the Sugar Bowl for their first CFP game this year, which also sends Michigan out west.

But who will Michigan likely face in the College Football Playoff Rose Bowl Game? Well, there are some moving parts, as I said, but Washington won the PAC-12 title last night and was already sitting at No. 3 nationally. So long as Georgia does not get upset by Alabama — which is absolutely a possibility — and Michigan does not somehow get upset by Iowa, the Wolverines and Huskies will clash on January 1 in Pasadena, CA.

Final preparations are underway. We’re just ONE MONTH AWAY! 🌹#RoseBowl #GranddaddyofThemAll pic.twitter.com/GNvSTAxRE5

— Rose Bowl Game (@rosebowlgame) December 2, 2023

Jim Harbaugh needs first win in the playoff

So far, Michigan football has appeared in two straight College Football Playoffs, though the Wolverines are yet to so much as lead in a playoff game. This fall, Jim Harbaugh has his best Michigan team yet, and with a lot of uncertainty due to the NCAA’s investigations, Harbaugh’s NFL flirtation, and more, 2023 has to be the year that the Maize and Blue get over the hump.

All will become much clearer tomorrow once the conference title games are out of the way and the final CFP rankings are released, though for the time being, Michigan football vs. Washington in the Rose Bowl Game feels like the safest bet.

Congratulations to @UW_Football on winning the @pac12 Conference Championship!

Could the Huskies be headed to Pasadena for the @CFBPlayoff Semifinal at the #RoseBowl Game presented by @Prudential? 🌹

— Rose Bowl Game (@rosebowlgame) December 2, 2023

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