Assessing Michigan's potential path to a national championship

The runway to the College Football Playoff appears clear for the Michigan Wolverines (12-0). With a win Saturday over heavy underdog Purdue in the Big Ten title game, Michigan will clinch its second consecutive appearance in the final four.

But can the Wolverines win a national title? A lot must shake out, but Michigan should like where it stands.

If current CFP ranking trends hold, the No. 2 spot appears likely for the Wolverines, which would pit them against the third-ranked TCU Horned Frogs in the first round of the playoff. TCU will play Kansas State on Saturday in the Big 12 title game. (Per Oddschecker. the Horned Frogs are a 2.5-point favorite.) 

The Wolverines have the fifth-ranked rushing offense and dominate time of possession, so they match up well against TCU.

Georgia looks like the most likely opponent for the Wolverines in a national championship game. The defending champion Bulldogs have looked dominant at times this season, but they also struggled in wins against (6-6) Missouri and Kentucky (7-5).

Georgia crushed Michigan, 34-11, in the CFP last season.

Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt believes Michigan has a good shot at a national title, saying on his show Monday, "Michigan might be the best team in the country.” 

Vegas likes Michigan's chances, too. Per Oddschecker, the Wolverines have the second-best odds to win the national championship, ranging from +225 to +300. Georgia owns the best odds.

The ESPN College Football Power Index gives the Wolverines a 23.1 percent chance of winning the title. the third-best odds. 

A national title clearly was on the minds of Michigan players during their dominant win over Ohio State on Saturday.

"Y'all want to win the Natty? It starts right here," Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil said on the sidelines during the Wolverines' 45-23 win, per Fox Sports' Tom Rinaldi.