Paul Finebaum Reveals Big Ten Powerhouse On The College Football Playoff Bubble

Last season was a magical year for the Michigan Wolverines. After winning back-to-back Big Ten championships, the Wolverines not only secured another Big Ten title, but they also clinched a national championship.

Despite achieving some success, there are mixed feelings about the Wolverines heading into 2024. This is mainly due to the significant turnover the team has undergone this offseason. Michigan had to replace its head coach after Jim Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers, and it also needed to replace many starters.

Michigan is second to last in the Big Ten in terms of returning starters. The team has only six returning starters, which is just one more than Big Ten newcomer the Washington Huskies, the team the Wolverines played against in the national championship last season.

ESPN's Paul Finebaum mentioned that he still believes in Michigan and thinks that the Wolverines have the potential to be a College Football Playoff team.

"I'm pretty high on Michigan," Finebaum said. "I think they're on the bubble of the playoff. I think Texas is their best opportunity because I don't think people are going to expect much from Michigan early on."

Finebaum mentioned that Michigan could potentially make it into the College Football Playoff even with three losses. He believes that if a team were to lose three games, they would need a significant win later in the season, and Michigan could achieve that by defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Finebaum is uncertain if there is another team that would have the opportunity that Michigan might have as a three-loss team unless it made their conference championship game, which he considers unlikely. So, Finebaum feels the Wolverines would have a huge opportunity to lose games but still make it back to the playoffs and defend their title.

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