Way-too-early CFP prediction has Michigan Football as the last team in

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Way-too-early CFP prediction has Michigan Football as the last team in
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 08: the CFB National Championship logo is set midfield before the College Football Playoffs National Championship game Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies on January 8, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

College football offseason prediction season is well underway, with the latest coming from CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford. He took a wild stab at the College Football Playoff field for the 2026 season, and he has the Michigan Wolverines making it in as the last at-large team as the 12-seed.

In this scenario, the Wolverines would be playing the No.-5 seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders, with the winner then playing the No. 4-seeded Indiana Hoosiers.

Here is what Crawford had to say about Michigan:

An early season win over Oklahoma win come in clutch for first-year Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham, who has more assets with the Wolverines than he ever possessed at Utah. Whittingham often gets the most out of his roster, and with enhanced resources, he should quickly push Michigan back in the playoff conversation. In this scenario as the 10-seed, the Wolverines would become the playoff’s second-ever three-loss team, but first to not reach their league title game to get in. The losses? Oregon, Indiana and Ohio State.

So to quickly recap — Crawford has Michigan winning every game up until its showdown with the Hoosiers on Oct. 24. Then, the Wolverines would lose two of their final five games, which would be at Oregon on Nov. 14 and at Ohio State on Nov. 28.

If that happens, Michigan making the CFP would be pretty unprecedented territory. Only one three-loss team has made the CFP in the two years of the 12-team era. That team — the Alabama Crimson Tide this past season, and they only lost two games in the regular season before losing their third game in the SEC Championship. To be frank, Alabama was fortunate to make it in this past season, so I find it hard to believe the committee would put Michigan in with three regular-season losses and no Big Ten Championship Game appearance.

That said…I certainly wouldn’t be mad if that were to happen.

Here is the whole 12-team field in Crawford’s prediction:
  • No. 5 Texas Tech vs No. 12 Michigan — winner takes on No. 4 Indiana
  • No. 6 Georgia vs No. 11 Memphis — winner takes on No. 3 Texas
  • No. 7 Oregon vs No. 10 Texas A&M — winner takes on No. 2 Notre Dame
  • No. 8 Ohio State vs No. 9 LSU — winners takes on No. 1 Miami

What do you think of this projection? Do you think Michigan could make it into the CFP with three losses in 2026? I find it very hard to believe, but if you think it could happen, make a case and let us know what you think about this overall in the comments section below.

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