Paul Finebaum makes bold prediction about Michigan this fall

The Michigan football program is at the top of the college football world right now. Despite all of the mud being slung at Jim Harbaugh, Connor Stalions, and many others surrounding some alleged improprieties, the Wolverines had the last laugh after taking home their third-straight Big Ten title and doubling down by winning the national championship.

But many believe this fall will be a little different. Many key players departed for the NFL, head coach Jim Harbaugh moved on to the next level as well, and teams like Ohio State and Oregon seem to have loftier expectations from the national media.

ESPN's Paul Finebaum would like for everyone to pump the brakes though on much a slide this season for Michigan -- well, sort of. In fact, the SEC mouthpiece believes the Maize and Blue can crash the College Football Playoff for a third year in a row.

“I think they (Michian) have a shot. Right now, I would take them,” Finebaum said. “And to do that really — they’re gonna have to change the outcome of a couple games that they’d be favored to lose. They’ve got an early game the second week against Texas — which will be a top-three or four team. They have Oregon later in the year at home — another top-three team. Obviously, we know about Ohio State at the end. And I think if they can win either Texas, Oregon, or Washington, they can finish 10-2. They have to win two of those, by the way, because I don’t think they’ll beat Ohio State. “I think 9-3, depending on where the wins are, this would probably be the rare team that could make the playoff with more than two losses.”

OK, so maybe that's not as rosy of a bouquet as Michigan fans want, but you can't defend a national championship if you don't first get into a format to win another. At this point, if the Wolverines were to elbow their way into the CFP, would you bet against them?