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Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

NCAAF Top 25 futures: Big Blue not looking to slide anytime soon

By Matt Wiesenfeld | Last updated 8/16/23

Michigan has really turned it around over the last couple of seasons. They have back-to-back wins against Ohio State, leading them to Big Ten titles and trips to the College Football Playoffs. Now they are expected to do all those things again, perhaps more. Big Blue is back.

The Wolverines have yet to have success in the playoffs so there is still a mountain to climb in Ann Arbor. They got some good news in that coach Jim Harbaugh is not going to be suspended to start the season so there are no excuses. The question is whether they have bridged the gap between the likes of the powers in the SEC.

No. 2 Michigan Wolverines 2023 Win Total

Over 10.5 -120 / Under 10.5 +100

Michigan is one of a handful of teams with a win total this high and the markets are saying they believe in what Harbaugh has built over the last couple of seasons has even more room to grow. If they get to that 11 wins, they are going to be in the conversation for the best team in the nation all season long. With more experience at quarterback than some of the other top contenders (Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State), maybe the Wolverines are more of a sure thing too.

One of the reasons the markets are so high on Michigan is that their schedule could not be much easier this season. Their non-conference schedule is embarrassingly light — East Carolina, UNLV, and Bowling Green — they might not give up a point if they are properly motivated. Once Big Ten play starts, the Wolverines avoid all of the top teams in the Big Ten West and they host the "Big Game" against Ohio State. The only game that even remotely appears to be one where they are not going to be favored by more than a touchdown is at Penn State. This is a schedule to post a perfect regular season against. Hence the market interest.

The strength of the team is a backfield featuring a couple of tailbacks that would start for any team in the country. That has made it easy for QB J.J. McCarthy to be brought along slowly, but he has all the tools for this offense to continue to grow. On defense, the Wolverines are loaded with athletes who scare you coming off the bus and produce on the field. There is no reason that they can't be as good as they were a couple of years ago when the defense led the way. Now the team is more balanced, which makes them tough to beat. Michigan can win in a lot of ways.

Even if this were just an average Michigan team, that light schedule might get them to at least 9-3 or 10-2. The fact that it might be better than the last two versions means they might deserve to be the favorite to win it all this season. Take the over.

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