Michigan football ranked behind Texas and more in College Football Playoff odds

The Wolverines have strung together a few impressive seasons in a row heading into 2023. In exactly one month, the Maize and Blue will begin a new campaign, hoping to secure the program’s first national title in decades. That said, the Football Power Index’s initial preseason Michigan football College Football Playoff odds have the Wolverines out of the picture right now, placing Harbaugh’s squad behind the Texas Longhorns and more.

Michigan football College Football Playoff odds have the Wolverines behind Texas and more, per ESPN

According to the newest ESPN Football Power Index College Football Playoff odds, Michigan football sits at 5th in the nation, behind the Texas Longhorns, Ohio State Buckeyes, and others. Without question, this is pretty strange for just about anyone who isn’t a Texas fan.

On top of winning two straight Big Ten Championships this decade, Michigan football has appeared in the College Football Playoff twice in a row but fell short both times. This fall, Jim Harbaugh appears to have his best roster yet, and his team is fixated on finally getting over the hump and winning it all, claiming the team’s first national title since 1997.

Per the FPI, Michigan football has a 25.9% chance of making the playoff this fall — the 5th-best odds nationally. In front of the Wolverines are the Texas Longhorns (4th), Alabama Crimson Tide (3rd), the Georgia Bulldogs (2nd), and the Ohio State Buckeyes (1st).

On top of being behind Texas, Michigan football finds itself behind its biggest rival, Ohio State, whom the Wolverines have demolished twice in a row and will face at home this fall — OSU even has a new quarterback and is still being pinned as a national favorite to be the Big Ten’s CFP representative in 2023-24.

For now, this is just more bulletin board material for Harbaugh and his team, who are beginning fall camp today. Additionally, on September 2nd, none of this will truly matter because the season will be underway, and the Wolverines can prove it all on the field.

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