Friday Discussion: Is Michigan Football a CFP contender or pretender?
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Somehow, someway, the Michigan Wolverines are 2-0. Michigan has scored just 30 points through two games, but that’s all it has taken to win both of them. With that in mind, are the Wolverines legitimate CFP contenders or is their record simply a mirage with several losses on the horizon?
Before the season, the most common record prediction for the Wolverines was 9-3. Many viewed Michigan as the heavy favorite in seven games, with five difficult matchups in Oklahoma, Penn State, Oregon, Indiana and Ohio State. The Wolverines should be in the CFP if they go 3-2 in those games. Anything worse than that and things could get dicey. With a win over Oklahoma, Michigan has already won one of its toughest games.
So far, so good. All of the Wolverines’ goals are still in front of them, and they even have some wiggle room thanks to the expanded playoff field.
The defense could be elite, as Dom Nichols and John Henry Daley appear to be a really good edge rusher group. The defensive tackles have been stout so far, and most importantly, Michigan may have the best secondary in the Big Ten. Jyaire Hill, Zeke Berry, Smith Snowden, Rod Moore and Chris Bracey have played excellent football. Tougher offenses await, but Jay Hill’s group looks the part so far.
Things have been rocky on offense, but there is ample room for improvement that I have full faith the new coaching staff can develop throughout the season. Fortunately, the offense’s struggles haven’t cost Michigan a game yet.
Lastly, special teams are grading out better than expected. Cam Brown had a magical day punting the ball last Saturday and will look to continue his fortunes.
Now, things haven’t been all sunshine and rainbows as you may well know. Bryce Underwood has come in far below expectations. His inability to read the defense against Western Michigan was jarring, to say the least. Jason Beck clearly simplified the offense substantially against Oklahoma. While I’m grateful it worked and Michigan won, whether that is sustainable for the rest of the season or not is yet to be seen.
The run game has also been subpar. Both Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter have struggled to find space to run behind an offensive line that was supposed to be a major strength of the team. Hiter misread several zone reads against Oklahoma and Marshall has struggled with his opportunities as well. Oklahoma’s defensive line is legitimately elite, but the offensive line wasn’t exactly paving massive holes for the running backs against Western Michigan either.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebackers covering in space has been a bit of an issue as well. Discipline and penalties have been annoying as well.
In total, it’s pretty clear this team is not a national title contender. However, could it be a CFP contender? Could this Michigan team squeak into the CFP despite a lackluster offense? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below.
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